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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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LETTERS y- '" ,,.-^^-- 

TO •^ 



YOUNG MEN 

PREFARISG FOR 



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THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 



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BY WILLIAM COGSWELL, D. D. 

Secretary of the American Education Society. 




BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED BY PERKINS & MARVIN. 

PHILADELPHIA : HENRY PERKLXS. 

1837. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1837, 
"^ By pEE*kiN^& Marvin, ^ h 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of 
Massachusetts. 



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PREFACE 



The Author of the following Letters, 
whose attention, for the last eight years, 
has been particularly called to the subject 
of educating pious young men for the 
Christian ministry, in the discharge of 
official duties, has frequently had occasion 
to address many of this class on topics 
vitally important to them as scholars, 
Christians, and candidates for the sacred 
office. Though these letters were origin- 
ally written expressly and only for the 
benefit of those individuals thus addressed; 
yet, at the suggestion of some ministers 
of the gospel, and several officers of our 
public institutions, as well as at the urgent 



iv PREFACE. 

request of many of those to whom they 
were written, they are now, with little 
modification, thrown into a public and 
more permanent form, for the benefit of 
others also, who are preparing to preach 
the gospel. That young men in this situ- 
ation need much familiar and definite in- 
struction on the topics here discussed, 
will, it is presumed, be universally ac- 
knowledged. The book is designed as 
a friendly companion of such students. 
Should it be the means of assisting in 
furnishing for the church, a more pious, 
learned and efficient ministry, the object 
of the Author in its publication, will be 
fully accomplished. 

Boston^ August, 1837. 



CONTENTS. 



LETTER I. 



CONSECRATION TO GOD. 



Design of the work — Holiness — Its nature — Holiness 
of man — Intrinsic holiness — Conformity to God in 
heart and conduct — Necessity of holiness — Es- 
sential to happiness in the present life — In the 
future life — In order to preparation for the minis- 
try, 17—25 

LETTER II. 

CALL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. 

Desire to do the will of the Lord — What constitutes 
a call to preach the gospel — Four things consti- 
tute a call — Respectable talents — Decided piety 
— Desire to preach from right motives — Good lit- 
erary and theological education — Inquiry respect- 
ing the possession of such a call to preach — Rea- 
sons for desiring to enter the ministry — Not self- 



vi CONTENTS. 

aggrandizement — Not pecuniary emolument — 
Not ease or pleasure — But the glory of God — 
Temporal and eternal benefit of man — Accom- 
plishment of greater good — Where called to 
preach the gospel — Pastor or missionary — China 
— Syria — Greece — North or South America — 
As much a test of religious character to be a pas- 
tor as a missionary, 26 — 37 

LETTER III. 

PROMOTION OF PERSONAL HOLINESS. 

What is growth in grace — Means for the promotion 
of holiness — Reading the Sacred Scriptures — 
Reading religious books — Prayer with occasional 
fasting — Self-examination — Fifteen questions of 
self-examination, with some remarks — Fourth 
question, evidences of change of heart — Exhor- 
tation to self-examination, 38 — 45 

LETTER IV. 

DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 

What duties prior to others — Duties of religion im- 
posed by God — Reading and meditating on the 
Scriptures — Secret prayer — When and how often 
observed — Time spent in secret devotions — Morn- 
ing and evening prayers — Seasons of fasting and 
prayer — Public worship on the Sabbath — Rea- 
sons for the discharge of religious duties — They 
are imposed by God — Personal benefit requires 
this, 46—52 



CONTENTS. Tij 

LETTER V. 

DUTIES IMPOSED BY INSTRUCTORS. 

Mixed class of duties — Some of these are of a reli- 
gious nature — Attendance upon morning and eve- 
ning prayers in the chapel — Occasional or special 
religious meetings — Reasons for a compliance 
with these requirements — They are made by In- 
structors — Spiritual and eternal benefit — Neglect 
of them would make an unfavorable impression — 
Duties of a classical nature — Reasons for the dis- 
charge of them— Reasonable — Good scholarship — 
Usefulness — Faculty demand this — Laws of col- 
lege should be obeyed — Reputation concerned, 53 — 59 

LETTER VI. 

DUTIES VOLU>*TARILT ASSUMED. 

Duties imposed by God and by instructors — Duties 
voluntarily assumed — Duties from connection 
with literary societies — Arise from covenant en- 
gagements — Should be performed — Why — Social 
benefit requires this — Literary benefit requires 
this — Another motive is spiritual benefit — Cove- 
nant engagements bind to the performance — 
Other duties of an incidental kind — These arise 
from times and circumstances, 60 — 64 

LETTER VIL 

COURSE AND MANNER OF READING. 

Books which students should possess — The Bible — 
manner of reading it — Hymn book — Reasons for 



i CONTENTS. 

it — Manual of theology and devotions — The ben- 
efits to be derived from it — Classical books — Text 
books — Not necessary to own others — Books for 
reading obtained from libraries — What works 
should be selected for reading — Catalogue of 
them — On history — On travels — On belles-lettres 
— On biography — On poetry — On devotion — 
Manner of reading — Read the title page— Look 
at the preface — Take a view of the contents — 
Cast your eye on some topic discussed — When 
to read a book — Notice important places on the 
margin with pencil — Possess a common-place book 
— In reading, lift up the soul to God in prayer 
for assistance to improve, 65—74 



LETTER VIIL 

THOROUGH EDUCATION. 

r 
What is implied in a thorough education for the 
ministry — Scholarship varies according to natural 
turn of mind — Necessity of thorough education — 
Opinion of the community requires it — The work 
to be performed dem.ands it — The times require 
it^ — The Great Head of the church requires it — 
Manner in which a thorough education is to be 
obtained — Students well prepared to enter col- 
lege — Object of a collegiate education — Conse- 
quences of a defective education, .... 75 — 83 



CONTENTS. ix 

LETTER IX. 

HABITS OF STUDY. 

Habits of study should be systematic — Plan of em- 
ployment for each day — Rise at dawn of day — 
Dr. Doddridge — Dean Swift — Put yourselves in 
order for the day — Gen. Washington — x^ttend to 
secret devotions — Boerhaave — Give at ention to 
classical studies — Attend regularly and punctu- 
ally recitations — Observe your meals t propar 
times — Take exercise at suitable seasons — Ob- 
serve secret prayer before retiring to rest — Re- 
tire to rest seasonably — Your habits of study 
should be steady — Habitually diligent in studies 
— Habits of study zealously active — Cultivate 
habits of perseverance in study — Determination 
of success in study — Form a habit of attending to 
your studies accurately and fully — Accompany 
all your studies with prayer — Dr. Watts — Dr. 
Doddridge— J. Newton— Voice of the Bible, 84—98 

LETTER X. 

EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. 

External deportment should be reverent towards 
God — By looks — By words — By actions — Mani- 
fest a regard for yourselves — Your existence — 
Your talents — Your character — Have respect to 
mankind around you — Regard them as the crea- 
tures of God — According to their condition and 
relation in life — Be sincere, upright, and kind in 
your conduct towards others, 97 — 108 



X CONTENTS. 

LETTER XL 

PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 

Wherein is economy to be practiced — Tn dress — 
Comfortable and decent — Economy in expense 
for board—In the purchase of books — In the use 
of fuel and lights — In expense for furniture — In 
travelling expenses — In incidental expenses — 
Why should economy be practiced — An unjusti- 
fiable expenditure of money will be avoided — 
Much infelicity will be prevented — Economy will 
furnish the means of doing good — Method of in- 
ducing a habit of economy — Keep an accurate 
account of your expenses — Frequently examine 
your accounts — Consider that money confers 
ability to do good — Contetnplate on the conse- 
quenceg of possessing or not possessing the habit 
of economy, 103 — 112 

LETTER XIL 

TEACHING SCHOOL. 

Ought a young man while pursuing a course of col- 
legiate education ever to instruct a school — 
Reasons in favor of it — It serves to perfect 
knowledge of the elementary branches of educa- 
tion — Leads to an acquaintance with human 
nature — Prepares one to communicate ideas to 
others — Conduces to the attainment of self-pos- 
session — Promotes sociability — Relieves the 
tedium of study — Tends to promote a disposi- 
tion of obedience to instructors — Gives an 



CONTENTS. xi 

opportunity for benefiting the young — Furnishes 
pecuniary aid, and thus increases the number of 
those who obtain an education — Reasons against 
keeping school — Deranges the course of study in 
colleges — Abridges scholarship — Apt to effect 
unfavorably the body, mind, and piety — Not dis- 
advantageous to instruct after graduating and 
entering a theological seminary — Teaching need 
not be injurious to body and mind — Some col- 
leges have arrangements for school-keeping — 
Collegiate students at the west should follow 
the practice of such students at the east, . 113 — 123 



LETTER XIII. 

TRAVELLING. 

It is not wise for students generally to travel — More 
expensive than fur ministers — Reasons fjr it — 
Cannot travel with that honor to themselves that a 
minister can — Dissipates the iiind and deranges 
the body — Interrupts study — Does not derive so 
great mental improvement and personal accom- 
plishments, as when the course of education is 
finished — Remarks on the manner of travelling — 
Mode of conveyance — Advice about conduct — Be 
particular in the selection of a tavern — Demeanor 
towards innkeepers, stage-drivers, and toll-gath- 
erers — Circumspection in conversation and man- 
ners — Be regardful of external appearance — 
Endeavor to profit by travelling — President 
Porter, 124—134 



xii CONTENTS. 

LETTER XIV. 

TRAITS OF CHARACTER, MENTAL AND MORAL. 

Decision — What it is — Its importance — Resolution — 
Dr. Young — Its necessity to the accomplishment 
of purposes — Courage — Proper definition — When 
needed — Independence — No man great by im- 
itation — Perseverance — What it means — Try — 
Keep on trying — Judgment — That act of the mind 
by which we form opinions — Should be culti- 
vated — Common-sense — Definition by Mr. Hall — 
Case of a Methodist minister — Dr. Worcester, 
Mr. Evarts, and President Porter — Self-control — 
Necessary to happiness and usefulness — Chris- 
tian duty, 135—144 

LETTER XV. 

MORAL PRACTICES, 

What moral practices are — Temperance — In eating 
and drinking — Gregory — Two mottoes — Duty of 
ministers — Sir William Temple's definition— Pla- 
to's remark — Dryden's saying — Maxim — Cleanli- 
ness — Much neglected — Its effects — Whitfield's 
saying — Rowland Hill's opinion of it — Punctu- 
ality — Very important — Cecil's observation — 
Maxim of the Duke of Newcastle — Gen. Wash- 
ington a striking instance of punctuality — In- 
dustry — Its effects — Injunction of the Apostle — 
Quotation from Dr. South — Sallust's remark — 
Almsgiving — A duty — Enjoined in the Scriptures 
—Devolves upon all, according to their ability — 



CONTENTS. xiu 

Never should be made in an ostentatious manner 
— An interest should be manifested in favor of all 
benevolent enterprises, 145 — 158 

LETTER XVI. 

I>^TERCOURSE WITH THE WORLD. 

The nature of that intercourse which is desirable — 
Should be kind — Its happy effects — Mr. Jeffer- 
son's advice — Be courteous — To be a Christian in 
heart and life is to be in the most important 
senses a true gentleman — Dr. Brown's description 
of courteousness — Intercourse should be social — 
Solomon's opinion — Gurnall's remark — Be ingen- 
uous — Deadly Upas — Never affect ignorance nor 
knowledge — Let your intercourse be circum- 
spect — Exhortation of the Apostle — Demeanor 
in the presence of ladies — Conduct of two 
young men — Their acknowledgment — Inter- 
course should be profitable — Seek the benefit 
of others — Profit yourselves — Manner in which 
vacations should be spent by students, . 159 — 171 

LETTER XVII. 

BODILY EXERCISE. 

Importance of bodily exercise — Testimony of various 
individuals, clergymen and physicians — Manner 
in which exercise affects the human system — 
Account of this from the New Edinburgh Ency- 
clopedia — Exercise should be such as to affect 
the system generally — Journal of Health re- 



xjv CONTENTS. 

marks — Exercise should be systematic and regu- 
lar — Prof. Hitchcock's observations — Opinion of 
the Directors of the American Education So- 
ciety — Exercise vigorous, but not violent or ex- 
cessive — Walking — Riding horseback — Gym- 
nastic exercises injurious — Rule for exercise — 
Exercise taken daily — Testimony of Docts. 
Mussey and Jackson — Remarks of Rev. Dr. Cor- 
nelius — Exercise should be in the open air — 
Morning air — Exercise ought to be convenient 
and agreeable — Task exercises not good — Exer- 
cise should be manly or digniiied — Prof. Hough's 
remarks — Quantity of exercise — Remarks of lord 
Bacon — Saying of Hippocrates — Exercise profit- 
able in a pecuniary view — Case of a clergyman 
— The results of exercise great and good — In re- 
spect to health — In regard to life — In giving vigor 
of body and mind — In respect to an increase of 
knowledge — Opinion of Presidents Griffin and 
Chapin, Professor Ripley and others, . . 172 — 193 

LETTER XVHI. 

REVIVALS OF RELIGION IN LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 

Why revivals in literary institutions are desirable — 
The great number of unconverted young men in 
them— Seven thousand students — Five thousand 
in an unconverted state — These young men will 
have a powerful effect on the community — Will 
be legislators, judges, lawyers, physicians, minis- 
ters — By revivals, the number who enter the min- 
istry will be increased — Proportion of graduates 



CONTENTS. XV 

who have entered the ministry — By the effects 
of revivals the design of colleges answered — 
President Edwards's remarks — God answers 
prayers — What shall students do to promote 
revivals — Look into their own hearts and learn 
their state — Strive to become oppressed with the 
worth of souls — Think of the exposure of impeni- 
tent classmates — Feel deeply for their condition 
-^Pray for their conversion — Excite Christians 
to make efforts for revivals — Converse and pray 
with the impenitent, 194—205 

LETTER XIX. 

ANNUAL CONCERT OF PRATER FOR COLLEGES. 

History of the Concert — Its origin — Established by 
the Directors of the American Education Society 
in 1823 — Reasons why established on the last 
Thursday of February — Observance advocated 
by religious periodicals — Concurrent voice of the 
community in its favor — Revivals in colleges be- 
tween 1820 — 1823 inclusive — Revivals in the 
different colleges since — In 1831, revivals in 
nineteen colleges — Betw^een 350 and 400 con- 
verted — Since 1820, 1,500 young men converted 
in colleges — Manner of observing the Concert — 
The day should be spent as a season of special 
fasting and prayer — Private offices of devotion — 
Public services by prayer, addresses and remarks 
— Effects happy — Prayer should be offered for 
literary institutions in other lands as well as 
this, 206—215 



xvi CONTENTS. 

LETTER XX. 

EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN TO ENTER THE 
MINISTRY. 

Immense destitnt.ion of ministers — Want of ministers 
for the world — For the United States — Number 
of ministers needed every year — In 1860 this 
country will be peopled by 30,000,000 of inhabi- 
tants — Probable prevalency of Romanism — Ne- 
cessity of ministers — To supply the want of min- 
isters, some commendable efforts have been made 
— The church has awaked to this subject — Prays 
for this object — Many persons observe the Tues- 
day Concert weekly — Annual Concert of Prayer 
for colleges established — Resolution of the 
American Education Society — Monthly Concert 
of Prayer for this great object instituted — Par- 
ticular subjects of prayer — Resolutions respect- 
ing this concert by ministerial bodies — Education 
societies — Theological seminaries and colleges — 
Efforts should be in proportion to the magnitude 
of the work to be accomplished — The preaching of 
the gospel the great instrumentality of the world's 
conversion — More young men should prepare for 
the ministry — Resolutions of the General Associa- 
tion of Massachusetts, and the General Confer- 
ence of Maine — What ought pious young men to 
do — Read and meditate on this subject — Remem- 
ber it at the throne of divine grace — Converse 
with young men who ought to prepare for the 
ministry — Number who ought to preach the gos- 
pel— Appeals to the consciences and hearts of 
pious young men, 216 — 236 



LETTERS TO YOUNG MEN. 



LETTER I. 

CONSECRATION TO GOD. 

Dear Brethren, 

My design in this communication and those 
which follow, is to present some suggestions, the 
consideration of which may be of assistance to 
you, in preparing for the great and responsible 
\vork of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
In this first epistle I shall address you on personal 
holiness or entire consecration to God. I do this 
because it is a subject respecting which many 
seem not to possess clear and definite perceptions, 
and because the consecrating of yourselves to your 
Maker, Redeemer and Sanctifier, is the first duty 
you are called upon to perform. Until this is 
2 



18 CONSECRATION TO GOD. 

done, you have taken no step aright in the im- 
portant work which you have in contemplation. 

The term consecration is synonymous with 
hohness. As the latter word is more biblical 
and more generally employed in speaking on this 
subject than the former, so it will here be used. 

Holiness, in its primary and scriptural sense, 
is separateness or distinction on account of pre- 
eminent excellence, either intrinsic or relative. 
It is intrinsic when it really exists in an individual. 
God is intrinsically holy. He is, in his very 
nature, separated from all other beings by his pre- 
eminent or supreme excellence ; removed at an 
infinite distance from all natural imperfection, and 
all moral imperfection or sin, — being perfectly and 
absolutely pure and upright. Holiness is relative 
when it belongs to a person or thing, set apart 
from ordinary use to sacred purposes, such as 
the service of God. Under the Mosaic dispensa- 
tion, the tabernacle and its vessels, the priests 
and their vestments, were relatively holy, and 
were called holy because consecrated to an ex- 
cellent use — the service of God. But my object 
now is to remark particularly on intrinsic holiness, 
that " holiness without which no man shall see 
the Lord." As this holiness is the same in nature 
wherever it exists, man to be intrinsically holy, 



CONSECRATION TO GOD. 1^ 

must be really conformed to God in heart and 
practice, separate from sin or moral imperfection. 
By this is not meant, that the holiness of man 
is equal in degree to the holiness of God. Holiness 
is a communicable perfection, and no creature 
possesses it in the same degree and manner that 
God does. God is eternally holy, the fountain of 
holiness. Creatures are holy by derivation. God 
is infinitely holy. Creatures are holy in a finite 
degree. God is immutably holy. But creatures 
as it respects holiness, are liable to change. 

In order then to be holy,"^ man must be entirely 
consecrated to God and his service, in body, soul, 
time, possessions and influence. All his corporeal 
and mental faculties must be employed in such a 
manner as to promote the glory of God and the 
happiness of his creatures; and they must be thus 
employed to the highest possible degree. This 
love and service for his Maker must be graduated 
only by his natural ability, that is, be entirely 
commensurate with it. The same may be said 
of the time allotted to him, the property with 
which he is intrusted, and the influence he pos- 

* In this discussion, I speak of perfection in holiness, of 
what man ought to be in hohness, and not of what he really is 
in this respect in the present state of existence ; for, alas, no 
man, not even the most holy, liveth and sinneth not. 



20 CONSECRATION TO GOD. 

sesses. All these must be set apart and ap- 
propriated to the exalted purposes of glorifying 
God and benefiting mankind; and must thus be 
separated in their use from every thing that is 
sinful, impure, and unhallowed, and devoted to the 
highest and most exalted purposes. The whole 
man, body, soul, and spirit, should be entirely 
employed in doing the will of Jehovah, in ex- 
hibiting his glorious perfections to the view of 
intelligent creatures, and in promoting their highest 
possible felicity. 

Is man then intrinsically holy ? He will be con- 
formed to God in heart, or in his affections. Does 
God love being in general, and himself supremely; 
does he delight in the laws he has enacted — their 
precepts and sanctions, in the government he 
exercises, in the plan of salvation he has devised, 
in the means of grace he has appointed, in all 
his ways towards men ? So, if holy, man will. 
Does God rejoice in the conduct of his friends, 
is he displeased with the conduct of his enemies, 
does he hate sin and love holiness, does he desire 
his own glory and the best good of his creatures } 
So, if holy, man will. He will possess, in a degree, 
all the moral excellencies, all the moral affections 
that God does. He will be assimilated to him 
in heart, and thus separated from sin, all moral 



CONSECRATION TO GOD. 21 

impurity, and set apart to the most glorious pur- 
poses. 

Is man intrinsically holy, he will be conformed 
to God in conduct. He will be actuated by the 
same motives, have the same objects in view, and 
co-operate with him in promoting his cause. He 
will live in obedience to the moral law of God, 
which is a transcript of his moral perfections, and 
thus exhibit him to the intelligent universe. That 
holiness is obedience to the law is most evident. 
Sin is directly opposed to holiness, and as sin is 
the transgression of the law, so holiness must be 
obedience to the law. Now the law of God has 
respect not merely to the external conduct of 
man, but also and primarily to the affections of 
his heart, the true seat of all good and all evil. 
Obedience then to this law consists in love and 
its proper fruits. Thus speaks the Apostle : 
" Love is the fulfilling of the law." Do you 
ask what love ? The Son of God himself shall 
reply : " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with 
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with 
all thy mind. This is the first and great com- 
mandment, and the second is like unto it — Thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two 
commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 
Hence we infer, that holiness consists essentially 



22 CONSECRATION TO GOD. 

in love and its proper fruits. Tliese comprise 
all good affections and their proper fruits. And 
hence we learn, that all the Christian graces flow 
from universal love, or are but love in its different 
modifications. Such is the nature of personal 
intrinsic holiness. 

A question now occurs — Why is this holiness 
or sanctity important to be possessed ? 

1. Unless possessed, no one can be happy in 
the present life. Holiness is necessary to peace 
and tranquillity of mind. Without it God himself 
would be imperfect and miserable. Did he pos- 
sess the feelings of envy, or malice, or revenge, 
or hatred, or impatience, or cruelty, or injustice, 
he would ever be vexed and discontented, and, 
consequently, unhappy. Nothing can mar one's 
happiness more, than evil propensities, affections 
and passions. The destitution of holiness is what 
produces the misery of unholy men on earth, and 
of wicked men and devils in hell. They have a 
temper contrary to God. And such a temper 
naturally torments and disquiets its possessor. In 
our evil disposition is laid the very foundation of 
everlasting misery. Until this disposition be taken 
away, it is as impossible for a wicked person to be 
happy, as for a sick man to be at rest. Affectingly 
striking is the expression of the prophet : " The 



CONSECRATION TO GOD. 23 

wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot 
rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." 
" There is no peace saith God, to the wicked." 

2. HoHness is essential to happiness in the 
future Hfe. The soul is immortal, and must be 
happy or miserable forever, according to the 
character it possesses. It must exist unless God 
destroy it ; for it can no more annihilate its own 
faculties or existence, than a mirror can its pro- 
perty of reflecting the rays that fall on its surface. 
It may render itself WTetched by evil dispositions 
and practices ; but it cannot make itself happy even 
in heaven, while destitute of holiness. The reason 
of this is obvious. Heaven is a holy place. All 
beings who reside there are holy. Man, in order to 
be happy there must be holy too, for the element 
of heaven is holiness, and how can he be happy 
unless in his proper element ? As a person with 
no relish for food, cannot feast at the most sump- 
tuous table ; so neither could the sinner delight 
in heaven, where all is holiness. He would pine 
at the heavenly banquet, for no appetite has he 
for the entertainment. A holy God would be an 
object of horror, and his service would be weariness. 
Does the sinner delight in sin in the present 
world ? In that also will he delight in the world 
to come. His affections then or heaven must 



24 CONSECRATION TO GOD. 

be changed, or he can never be happy there. 
Besides, it is the language of inspiration, "Without 
holiness no man shall see the Lord," — shall be 
admitted into his joyful presence and to the bliss 
of heaven. 

3. Holiness is necessary in order to preparation 
for the ministry of Christ. As every disciple 
of Christ should bear and reflect his image ; 
so especially should his ministers be eminently 
conformed to him in heart and life. They should 
possess the same affections that he does — be 
emphatically pastors according to the heart of 
Jehovah. Personal holiness is indispensable. And 
being entirely consecrated to God, they will have 
views and feelings similar to his, and be co- 
workers with him in the advancement of his 
cause. In their hearts and lives there will be 
an exhibition of God in his power and goodness, 
and thus they will glorify their Maker, Redeemer 
and Sanctifier. Ministers, without spiritual dis- 
cernment, would, in the performance of official 
duties, be like blind men attempting to learn the 
science of optics, or deaf men pursuing the study 
of music. Such should never be intrusted with 
the cure of souls. Of an unholy minister, God 
may well say : " What hast thou to do, to declare 
my statutes ? " As Balaam prophesied and other 



CONSECRATION TO GOD. 25 

ungodly men have sustained the sacerdotal office, 
so a graceless minister may preach the truth of 
God, and perhaps even to the edification of saints 
and the conversion of sinners ; but it will be to 
their own destruction, like that of Nadab and 
Abihu, who offered strange fire before the Lord 
which he commanded them not. 

And now, dear brethren, permit me to exhort 
you to comply with the injunction of your heavenly 
Father, when he says to his people, '^ Be ye holy 
for I am holy." Sanctify yourselves for the work 
before you — set yourselves apart from every thing 
that is worldly and sinful to the service of saving 
souls. " Keep yourselves unspotted from the 
world," " crucify the flesh with the affections and 
lusts," maintain close communion with God, and 
exercise a spirit of entire and supreme devotedness 
to him. Let your principal aim now be to pre- 
pare in this respect for the ministry. Strive not 
only for holiness, but for high attainments in holi* 
ness. God calls you to do it, the church calls you 
to do it, the times in which you live call you to do 
it. I beseech you take heed to yourselves, lest 
after preparing to preach, and actually having 
preached to others, you yourselves should be 
among those who are cast away. 



LETTER 11. 

CALL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. 

Dear Brethren, 

I assume it as a fact, that you have heartily 
dedicated yourselves to God — set yourselves apart 
for his service and glory, in body, soul, and spirit ; 
and that you realize you are not your own, having 
been bought with a price, even the precious blood 
of Christ, and that therefore, you ought to glorify 
God in your body and in your spirit, which are 
his. With you it is a primary question how 
you can, in the highest degree and in the best 
manner, glorify your Creator, Redeemer and 
Sanctifier. You feel and pray as did Paul on his 
conversion, — " Lord, what wilt thou have me to 
do?" Your '^ heart's desire and prayer to God, 
is," that you may learn his will concerning you, 
and be disposed and enabled to perform it. So 



CALL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. 27 

far as you can discover what is duty, you think it 
is to spend your days in preaching the gospel ; 
and this is the language of your conduct. This 
probably is the fact. Still you are liable to be 
deceived, and therefore it becomes you to ex- 
amine yourselves on this point, that you may not 
rush into the ministry uncalled. 

To assist you in ascertaining the truth on this 
subject, I shall consider in this letter what con- 
stitutes a call to the Christian ministry ; whether 
you have such a call ; and if so, what are the 
reasons why you should preach the gospel; and in 
what part of your Master's vineyard it is your duty 
to labor. 

I. What constitutes a call to preach the gospel? 

In almost every instance where the following 
things combine in a young man, it is his duty to 
enter the ministry, namely : respectable talents, 
decided piety, a desire to preach the gospel from 
love to Christ and perishing souls, and a literary 
and theological education, or the pecuniary means 
to obtain it, possessed either by himself or ac- 
cessible by him through parents, friends, or some 
benevolent society. These four things plainly 
indicate it to be the will of Heaven, that the in- 
dividuals who possess them should preach the 



28 CALL TO 

" unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ." There 
may indeed be exceptions, arising from deformity of 
body, diseased organs, eccentricity of mind, etc. — 
Moreover, it may be the duty of a young man to 
preach the gospel, though he has not a desire to 
do it. He may have the other requisites, and be 
destitute of this. But as this deficiency is of a 
moral nature, he is culpable for it, and remains 
bound to discharge the duty incumbent upon him. 
So a young man may be destitute of piety, and 
yet, in the sight of Heaven, be not excused from 
proclaiming the messages of redeeming love. God 
views him as under obligation to love and serve 
him. The same remarks are true in reference to 
an education for the ministry. God holds us as 
bound to the performance of what is according to 
his will, when there is nothing in the way of doing 
it but moral inability or an indisposition of mind to 
do it. It is otherwise in regard to natural talents 
or those bodily and mental faculties which are 
necessary. In a destitution of these there is no 
criminality. God does not require brick where 
he does not furnish straw. If a young man possess 
not suitable corporeal powers — if there be an un- 
common deficiency in these, it is not his duty to 
preach ; if he be not compos mentis, or if there 
be a great deficiency in his powers of perception. 



PREACH THE GOSPEL. 29 

memory, judgment, etc. it is not his duty to preach. 
But, suppose a young man does possess good nat- 
ural faculties, but not piety, nor a desire to preach, 
nor an education; is it his duty to enter the min- 
istry ? He should not, indeed, assume the sacred 
ofBce while destitute of holiness ; but he is bound 
to lov^e God supremely, now and evermore, and to 
possess the most glowing piety. He should desire 
to perform what God would have him, and if he 
would have him preach, proclaim the gospel he 
should. And if God would have him teach the way 
of salvation, he should first seek instruction on this 
subject himself. For it is not a supposable case, 
that the Most High would send on an embassy to 
men, one who was ignorant of the message he was 
to deliver, or the tenor and terms of the treaty of 
reconciHation and peace he was sent to effect, or 
the manner in which it was to be accomplished. 
Where, then, respectable talents, decided piety, 
a desire to preach the gospel from right motives, 
and a suitable education for the work, or the 
pecuniary means to obtain it, concur, or should 
concur, in a young man, it is ordinarily his duty 
to preach. These indicate the will of Heaven, 
constitute a call to enter the ministry, and bind 
the individual to do it suitably prepared, with the 
least possible delay* 



30 CALL TO 

II. Have you such a call to preach the gospel 

as has been described ? 

A few interrogatories, when properly examined, 
will determine. Have you, then, those natural 
powers of body and mind which will, when duly 
cuhivated, enable you to discharge the duties of a 
minister in a respectable and acceptable manner ? 
This, it is believed, is what is demanded, and all 
that is demanded, in this respect. 

Are you possessed of holiness ? Has your heart 
been renewed by the Holy Ghost, and have you 
made the entire consecration of yourselves to him 
which he requires ? Is your piety of that decided 
character which is desirable, or is it fickle, lan- 
guid, doubtful ? 

Have you a desire to serve God in the ministry 
of his Son ? — such a desire as, if called to make 
the sacrifice, will induce you to forsake houses 
and lands, fathers and brethren, for this arduous 
service ? Do you feel that it will be as your meat 
and drink to do the will of God in this responsible 
employment? 

Are you determined to pursue a course of edu- 
cation that will qualify you to preach the gospel ? 
— a course that will make you acquainted with the 
natural sciences and other branches of a liberal 
education, embracing those languages in which the 



PREACH THE GOSPEL. 31 

Bible was originally written, and especially the 
Bible itself, that you may become "mighty in the 
Scriptures" and "scribes well instructed into the 
kingdom?" 

Such are the questions I would propound for 
your particular and prayerful consideration. If on 
examination, you can answer them in the affirma- 
tive, then you may conclude that you are called 
of God to preach the gospel, and that, in pursuing 
your present course of study, you are acting 
agreeably to his will. But if you are so deficient 
in natural qualifications, that you would bring 
yourselves or the cause of Christ into disrepute 
in attempting to exercise the sacred functions, 
then it is plainly your duty to relinquish the 
thought of preparing for the ministry. Or if you 
do not possess true, vital godliness, and do not 
maintain that consistent course of religious con- 
duct which a minister of the gospel should main- 
tain, then you ought to abandon your studies till 
you have repented and reformed. Be sensible, 
that in these respects you are called of God to 
the ministry, and then strive to be properly edu- 
cated for a discharge of its duties. 

Let it never be said you have not pecuniary 
ability to pursue a regular course of instruction for 
the ministerial work. If you have not funds of 



32 CALL TO 

your own, and cannot procure them from parents 
or friends, you can, from some Education Society 
and by your own labor, obtain sufficient means to 
enable you to prosecute your studies to a suitable 
extent. Thus God in his providence has left you 
entirely without excuse ; and you are bound by 
the most sacred obligations to preach the gospel 
to every creature, so far as in you lies ; and it 
should be the language of each of your hearts, 
" Lord, here am I, send me." 

III. Another important point for you to ascer- 
tain is, what are your reasons for desiring to enter 
the ministry. 

These should be — 

1. Not self-aggrandizement. 

A person should not preach the gospel for the 
sake of promoting his own glory and honor. He 
should not " seek his own, but the things which 
are Jesus Christ's;" and then, if he be found 
faithful, he will be " counted worthy of double 
honor." 

2. Not pecuniary emolument. 

It is true, ''the w^orkman is worthy of his hire," 
and " they who preach the gospel, should live of 
the gospel." But no man ought to enter the 
ministry for the sake of worldly gain. It is an 



PREACH THE GOSPEL. 33 

apostolic injunction upon ministers — ^' Feed the 
flock of God which is among you, taking the 
oversight thereof not by constraint, but wilHngly, 
not for fihhy lucre, but of a ready mind." 

3. Not ease or pleasure. 

The ministry is a profession not of ease nor 
of sensual gratification ; but of constant and 
unwearied labor. For the spiritual benefit of his 
people, the faithful minister of Jesus prays and 
toils, expecting no rest on earth, though antici- 
pating it in the rewards of Heaven. 

But your reasons for entering the ministry 
should be — 

1. The glory of God. 

It is true, you may glorify God in a variety of 
ways, other than that of the ministry. You may 
do it as a lawyer, a physician, or an instructor. 
You may do it in commercial, agricultural, or 
mechanical pursuits. But if you are proper per- 
sons to preach the gospel, you can glorify God far 
more in the ministry of his Son. In laboring for 
the salvation of lost men, you exhibit most glori- 
ously the Divine Being — display his moral attri- 
butes to the greatest degree, and to the highest 
advantage. 

2. The temporal and eternal benefit of man. 
The preaching of the gospel is the direct means 

3 



34 CALL TO 

which God has appointed for the salvation of nien. 
In this salvation is included deliverance from the 
power and dominion of sin and the wrath to come, 
and admission to heaven. Its benefits, in part, 
obtain in this life — partial freedom from moral 
and natural evil, and the enjoyment of a conse- 
quent and proportionate good, corporeal and 
spiritual. But its principal benefits are spiritual 
and eternal — everlasting perfection in holiness and 
happiness. To be instrumental in the procure- 
ment of such blessings for the rebellious and lost, 
is an important reason to induce young men to 
enter the ministry. 

3. The accomplishment of greater good. 

In every case where it is duty for a person to 
preach the gospel, he will, by preaching it, do 
more for the glory of God and the promotion of 
human happiness and salvation, than he otherwise 
could. 

And now let me ask what are your motives for 
desiring to enter the ministry of Christ ? Are they 
self-aggrandizement, pecuniary emolument, ease 
or pleasure ? If so, the springs of your action are 
altogether wrong and unworthy of those, who are 
to bear the vessels of the Lord. Or are your 
motives the glory of Jehovah, the salvation of men^ 
and the accomplishment of the greatest good ? 



PREACH THE GOSPEL. 35 

Then are they pure, and such as will meet the 
approbation of your blessed Saviour, when you 
stand before him in final judgment. 

IV. In what part of his vineyard does Christ 
call you to labor ? 

The field is the world — the whole inhabited 
globe; comprising both Jews and Gentiles. ''The 
harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." 
To cultivate this field, there is a necessity for set- 
tled pastors, and for missionaries at home and mis- 
sionaries abroad. But what part of this field is it 
the will of Heaven, that you should cultivate ? Is 
it your destination to be a pastor, or a missionary ? 
— to labor for Christ in Christian or in pagan lands ? 
In deciding these questions, follow the leadings of 
divine Providence. In this particular, be like a 
little child — go where your heavenly Father leads 
you, and do what your heavenly Father bids you. 
Should he, by the indications of his providence, 
lead you to China, go, and preach the gospel to 
the 300,000,000 of that pagan empire. Should 
he direct your attention to Syria, the land of 
sacred interest, let that be the place of your 
prayers and labors in the service of Christ. It 
may appear, that the Lord intends you should 
visit Greece ; if so, go and unfurl the banner of 



36 CALL TO 

the cross on that classic ground. He may have 
designed, that you shall preach the unsearchable 
riches of Christ to the aborigines of North and 
South America, who, according to the opinion of 
President Stiles, Dr. Boudinot, and some others, 
are descendants of the ten tribes of Israel. It may 
be your duty, as indicated by the will of Heaven, 
to dispense the gospel in some waste-places of our 
Zion, or to proclaim it to the old and established 
churches of this land. And in this day of religious 
excitement and enterprising missionary spirit, it is 
perhaps a greater test of religious character, for you 
to be willing to become pastors of churches in the 
older States, than to migrate as missionaries to the 
western or frontier settlements of this country ; or 
even to spend your days in pagan lands as heralds 
of the cross. Your duty will depend on your per- 
sonal qualifications, the relative wants of different 
heathen lands, and of our own country, and the 
prospect of your success in one station rather than 
in another. There are so many contingencies in 
these respects, it is a work of time and careful ob- 
servation to determine what field of labor duty calls 
you to occupy. Avoid being unduly anxious in 
relation to this subject ; but pursue regularly your 
studies, be watchful of circumstances, notice the 
developments of your mind and spiritual feelings^ 



PREACH THE GOSPEL. 37 

and wait for the openings of God's providence. 
You will at the same time read and reflect on the 
subject, and never forget to seek Divine guidance. 
Be much in prayer, and the Lord will grant you 
all needful direction. 

By considering the above remarks, and by seek- 
ing light from Heaven, you will, I trust, be enabled 
satisfactorily to answer the question which each of 
you, no doubt, has often asked himself, Is it my 
duty to preach the gospel ? Having answered it, 
you will be careful neither to " run before you are 
sent," nor wilfully to neglect, so far as your ability 
will permit, a compliance with the command of 
the risen Saviour — '' Go ye into all the world and 
preach the gospel to every creature;" and to do it 
personally, feeling as did the apostle — " Woe is 
unto me if I preach not the gospel." 



LETTER III. 

PROMOTION OF PERSONAL HOLINESS. 

Dear Brethren, 

In a previous letter, I addressed you on the 
nature and importance of holiness or entire conse- 
cration to God. In this, I would call your atten- 
tion to the increase of grace or the promotion of 
holiness in your own souls. It is duty not only 
to be holy, but to be eminently holy ; not only to 
exercise gracious affections, but to exercise them 
in the highest possible degree — to grow in grace 
daily, and to press forward '^ unto the measure 
of the stature of the fulness of Christ," — to " be 
perfect even as our Father which is in heaven is 
perfect." 

But what is it to grow in grace ? It is to 
increase in knowledge of sacred truth, and in 
conformity of heart to this knowledge. Reli- 



PROMOTION OF PERSONAL HOLINESS. 39 

gious affections to be good, must be put forth 
suitably in view of truth and duty. That gracious 
exercises, therefore, may be increased, there must 
be an increase of knowledge — knowledge of God, 
of man, of Christ, of the Holy Spirit, and of the 
things pertaining to salvation ; — and also a greater 
conformity of heart to this knowledge — stronger 
exercises in correspondence with the truths pre- 
sented to the mind. 

The means to be used in the promotion of 
holiness are various, but suited to enlighten the 
understanding and sanctify the affections. Some 
of these will now be mentioned. 

1. The reading of the Sacred Scriptures. 
The Bible is the great repository of religious 

instruction. It contains the will of God to man. 
Here is light and no darkness at all. The study 
of the Scriptures is, therefore, well adapted to 
illuminate the understanding and thus, by the in- 
fluences of the Holy Ghost, to sanctify the heart. 
The prayer of Christ to his Father for his disci- 
ples was, '^ Sanctify them through thy truth, thy 
word is truth." 

2. The reading of religious books. 

The perusal of memoirs of eminent Christians, 
especially ministers, and wrhings on religious ex- 
perience, is very profitable. No person can read 



40 PROMOTION OF 

as he ought, books on devotional subjects, as the 
psalms and hymns composed for sacred melody, 
without benefiting his heart. 

" Praise is devotion fit for mighty minds, 
The differing world's agreeing sacrifice." 

3. Prayer with occasional fasting. 

Prayer is styled the breath of the Christiano 
Without it he cannot live ; but with it, he will 
live and live to good purpose. As soon as Paul 
was converted, it was said of him, ''Behold he 
prayeth." And prayer is not only the life of a 
Christian, but it is efficacious in procuring bles- 
sings for those who pray and for those on whose 
behalf intercessions are made. — Fasting should be 
occasionally joined with prayer. This will pro- 
duce feelings of dependence and humility, and 
prepare its subjects for the reception of blessings. 

4. Self-examination. 

This is an important and difficult work — impor- 
tant because of its utility, and difficult on account 
of its nature. "Know thyself," was a maxim held 
in high estimation by the ancients. Thales, its 
author, used to say ''For a man to know himself 
is the hardest thing in the world." The natural 
and corrupt heart of man shrinks from a knowl- 
edge of itself. Self-examination is irksome to the 



PERSONAL HOLINESS. 41 

wicked. And as the heart of the renewed is 
sanctified but in part, so this remark will apply in 
some degree even to Christians. But important 
benefit will result from a faithful and frequent 
discharge of the duty of self-examination. No 
remedy can be applied, until the disease is known. 
Know then the plague of your own hearts, and 
to the wounds which sin has made, apply the balm 
of Gilead, and soundness shall be restored. See 
that your hearts are right in the sight of God. 
Keep yourselves in his love. Study to be richly 
adorned with all the Christian graces. Be men 
of prayer — maintain a constant intercourse with 
Heaven. No man can be a minister of the gospel, 
approved of the Great Head of the church, or 
deservedly eminent in the sacred ofSce, without 
vital godliness. Let your piety, therefore, be 
consistent piety, secret piety, public piety, daily 
piety, piety in every thing, and then it will be 
seen in all its glory and permanence, as though it 
were written on the tablets of your lives with a 
sunbeam and the point of a diamond. 

For the promotion of pure religion in your 
^. souls, permit me to exhort each one of you to 
"^ institute the following inquiries in application to 
himself. 

1 , How old am I ? 



42 PROMOTION OF 

[The patriarch Jacob could say, " Few and evil 
have the days of the years of ray life been."] 

2. How many years did I live in sin against my 
Maker, Preserv^er, and Benefactor? 

['' Christ died for all, that they which live, 
should not henceforth live unto themselves, but 
unto him which died for them, and rose again."] 

3. When did I first entertain a hope of an 
interest in the Saviour ? 

[Recal to mind, if possible, the precise time of 
your conversion, together with the circumstances, 
and the peculiarities if any, attendant upon it.] 

4. What are the evidences that I have expe- 
rienced a change of heart ? 

[The principal evidences of conversion are a 
heartfelt sense, that the doctrines of the Bible are 
true and excellent; — enjoyment in religious com- 
pany and conversation ; — delight in perusing the 
Sacred Scriptures and other religious books, and 
in meditating on divine subjects ; — happiness in 
public, private, and secret worship ; — joy at the 
prosperity of Zion, and a desire that the cause of 
Christ should flourish and triumph ; — humility and 
meekness in deportment ; — benevolence to all men, 
and complacency in Christians ; — hatred to sin and 
love to holiness ; — disposition to perform the will 



PERSONAL HOLINESS. 43 

of God ; — and scrupulous obedience to his com- 
mands in daily conduct.] 

5. What have I done for Jesus Christ, since I 
embraced a hope of having become his disciple ? 

[It is duty '^to spend and be spent" for him 
who has done so much for man — laid down his 
precious life to redeem him, and who now inter- 
cedes in heaven for his followers.] 

6. What have I done against Jesus Christ since 
I espoused his cause ^ 

[Every sin, whether of thought, feeling, word 
or action, is directly or indirectly against Jesus 
Christ. My ingratitude, how base ; my private 
sins, how numerous ; my overt acts of trans- 
gression, how many and how aggravated !] 

7. Is it to me grievous, that I have done so 
little for him, and so much against him who has 
done so much for me ? 

['' My leanness, my leanness ! " '' Against thee, 
thee only, have I sinned." ''And he went out and 
wept bitterly."] 

8. Am I now any holier, than when I first 
entertained a hope of salvation ? 

[It is enjoined upon Christians, ''Grow in grace 
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ."] 

9. According to my present progress in sanctifi- 



44 PROMOTION OF 

cation, will it not be very long before I shall be 
perfectly prepared for heaven ? 

[It is duty to press forward in perfection, " unto 
the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." 
" Be ye perfect even as your Father which is in 
heaven is perfect."] 

10. Why have I not made greater attainments 
in sanctification ? 

[" Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." 
"Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost." "Let 
your conversation be as becometh the gospel of 
Christ."] 

Jl. Am I willing to progress thus slowly in 
sanctification? 

["Woe to them that are at ease in Zion."] 

12. Do I commence and close every day with 
reading and meditating upon the Scriptures, and 
with secret prayer, and am I inclined to prayer at 
other proper seasons ? 

[David resolves, " Evening and morning, and at 
noon, will I pray and cry aloud." He says also, 
" O, how love I thy law ! It is my meditation all 
the day."] 

13. Am I formal and hypocritical, or sincere 
and spiritual in my devotions ? 

[It is a direction of the Saviour, " W^hen thou 
prayest, thou sbalt not be as the hypocrites are."—' 



PERSONAL HOLINESS. ^ 45 

" When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the 
heathen do." — ''God is a spirit; and they that 
worship him, must worship him in spirit and in 
truth."] 

14. Am I influenced in all I think, desire, pur- 
pose, say and do, by a regard to the glory of God ? 

[" Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or what- 
soever ye do, do all to the glory of God."] 

15. Am I entirely consecrated to Christ and 
the church ? Is it the language of my heart and 
life, I am thine, O Lord ! wholly thine, and thine 
forever ? 

['' And all Judah rejoiced at the oath ; for they 
had sworn with all their hearts, and sought him 
with their whole desire ; and he was found of 
them ; and the Lord gave them rest round 
about."] 

Dear brethren, " Examine yourselves whether 
ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves ; know 
ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is 
in you, except ye be reprobates.^" Be honest 
with yourselves, and with your God ; so shall you 
obtain eternal life, and, peradventure, turn many 
to righteousness, who shall be your crown of 
rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. 



LETTER IV. 

DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 

Dear Brethren, 

Religious duties devolving upon you, while 
in a course of education for the ministry, will be 
the subject of this letter. It is not my design to 
specify every duty, but some of the most promi- 
nent. The inquiry is often made by students, 
Which, among the many and pressing duties at 
the institution, shall I discharge, and which omit ? 
This is an important question, and it is reasonable, 
that it should be answered. I will now suggest 
some thoughts, which may serve to guide you in 
this respect. Here let me remark, that it is ob- 
viously not a duty to attempt more than can be 
performed. Obligation cannot surpass natural 
ability. This should ever be considered a sound 
maxim in theology. Of the duties which devolve 



DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 47 

upon students in your situation, the following may 
be mentioned. 



The duties of religion, imposed upon you by 
God himself, are ever to be regarded as prior 
to all others. 

These relate to your spiritual interests, as well 
as to the honor of God, and are embraced in a 
number of particulars. 

1. Reading and meditating on the Scriptures. 

The Saviour has enjoined it as a duty, to "search 
the Scriptures;" and the Bereans are commended, 
in that they " searched the Scriptures daily." — 
The Bible should be read through in course every 
year, though it is to be feared, that even some 
Christians have never read it entirely through 
once, while yet they have entertained its hopes 
for years. Portions of it on doctrines, duties, 
devotion or experience, should be perused morn- 
ing and evening, and with particular care and 
reflection, that they may be fully understood, 
and personally applied. The Bible should thus 
be searched as for hid treasures. At these 
seasons, the psalms of David, which excel all 
other writings in exciting devout emotions, the 
prophecies of Isaiah, with the gospels and epistles, 
should be particularly consulted. Previously to 



48 DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 

reading the Scriptures, it will be proper to offer 
a short prayer, that God would '' open your eyes, 
that you nnay behold wondrous things out of his 
law," and that " you may receive, with meekness, 
the ingrafted word, which is able to save your 
souls." 

2. Secret prayer. " When thou prayest, enter 
into thy closet." The duty here commanded by 
Christ, is most clearly individual prayer, as ap- 
pears from the form of expression. David says, 
"morning and evening, and at noon, will I pray 
and cry aloud." Secret prayer should be ob- 
served, at least, three times a day ; and, perhaps, 
no better seasons can be selected for the discharge 
of this duty, than morning, noon, and evening. 
Reason seems to point out these as suitable hours 
of the day. In the morning, before entering upon 
the business of life, and in the evening, having 
passed through its cares and trials, it is desirable 
to spend a season in religious retirement. As a 
safeguard to piety and good deportment, it may be 
well to withdraw for a time from the world in the 
midst of daily employments, and hold communion 
with God. The time allowed to secret devotions, 
should be not less than an hour every day. With 
this allotment, I would assign twenty-five minutes 
to morning and evening, each, in secret devotions 



DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 49 

—in reading the Scriptures with self-application, 
in reflection, and in prayer; and ten minutes to 
Doon, in reflection and prayer. Such, in general 
terms, I esteem to be your closet duties. 

3. Morning and evening prayers in the rooms 
you occupy, when your associates are pious, or are 
willing to join with you externally in the service. 
"Our Father who art in heaven — give us this day 
our daily bread." Such is a part of the Lord's 
prescribed form of prayer. It is plural, and must, 
therefore, be social prayer — prayer offered by two 
or more. It is, too, daily prayer, and the most 
proper season for it is morning and evening. 
Here then w^e have an argument in favor of social 
morning and evening devotions. The services 
should be short, and consist of reading, in course, 
a passage of the Scriptures, singing two or three 
stanzas of some song of Zion, and uniting in 
prayer. Man is constituted a social being, and 
the choicest blessings may be derived from such 
social intercourse with Heaven. 

4. Seasons of fasting and prayer. Fasting and 
prayer are enjoined in the Scriptures, and this 
duty was frequently observed by the ancient people 
of God. They fasted and prayed in seasons of 
mourning and afflictions, or when they suffered or 
feared the judgments of the Most High in conse- 

4 



50 DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 

quence of sin. The whole service was adapted 
to produce penitence, humility and sanctification. 
Such are its natural and happv effects upon com- 
munities and individuals. Such effects, Edwards, 
Brainerd, Payson, and multitudes of others, now 
in glory, derived from it. It is desirable, as a 
general rule, that a season of fasting and prayer 
should be observed by you as often as once in 
three months. On these solemn occasions, it is 
highly important, that you should, also, form reso- 
lutions in respect to duty, and institute questions of 
self-examination. Conducted in this manner, such 
religious observances will be of essential service. 

5. Public worship on the Sabbath. In allusion 
to the discharge of this duty by himself and other 
Christians, the apostle says, " not forsaking the 
assembling of ourselves together as the manner of 
some is." The duty of public w^orship is here 
acknowledged, and a compliance with it is ex- 
pressed. Never, I beseech you, be regardless of 
assembling together with the people of God for 
public worship on the Sabbath. It should be 
viewed as a privilege, as well as a duty, thus to 
meet for praise, prayer, and religious instruction. 
Let your attendance be constant and punctual. 
The person is to be pitied who has to settle the 
question every Sabbath day, whether he will go to 



DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 51 

church. With each of you lei this point be fixed, 
and the only question in regard to it, ever to be 
agitated, be, Shall I this day absent myself from 
the house of God ? When the hour for divine 
service has arrived, let your place in the sanctuary 
be filled. It is distressing to him who ministers at 
the ahar, to see Christians tardy in their attendance 
on the services of religion. Permit me to add, 
though it may seem superfluous, the exhortation of 
Solomon, ^' Keep thy foot when thou goest to the 
house of God, and be more ready to hear than to 
give the sacrifice of fools ; for they consider not 
that they do evil." 

The reasons for the discharge of the religious 
duties I have mentioned, are two : 

1. They are imposed by God. This fact makes 
the obligation most certain and binding. When 
God commands, obedience should be rendered. 
Neither your pleasure, nor the pleasure of others 
can interfere with the authority and claims of 
Heaven. 

2. Your own personal benefit requires a com- 
pliance with these duties. All the requirements 
of God are subservient to the best interests of the 
human race, temporal and spiritual. Self-interest, 
therefore, urges to a discharge of duty. 



62 DUTIES IMPOSED BY GOD. 

Such, dear brethren, are some of the rehgious 
duties imposed upon you by God himself, and 
such the reasons for their observance. The limits 
of the present communication prohibit a further 
discussion at this time, of the topics under con- 
sideration. In some following letters, it is pro- 
posed to address you in relation to the duties of a 
religious and classical nature, imposed upon you 
by the officers of the institution at which you 
are ; — the duties assumed by your own voluntary 
engagements in societies ; — and other duties which 
arise from times and circumstances. 



LETTER V. 

DUTIES IMPOSED BY INSTRUCTORS. 

Dear Brethren, 

In my last letter, I addressed you in relation 
to some religious duties, which are imposed upon 
you by your Maker. In this communication, I 
would call your attention to another and mixed 
class of duties, required of you by your In- 
structors. 

I. Some of these are of a religious nature. 

1. One is attendance upon morning and evening 
prayers in the chapel. This duty you should dis- 
charge in a regular and punctual manner. Never 
omit a single service, and never be tardy in the 
observance of it, when you can possibly prevent it. 
Some students, and religious students too, not only 
absent themselves needlessly, but when they attend, 



54 DUTIES IMPOSED 

are inclined to be dilatory. Such negligence 
of duty indicates either a wrong state of feeling, 
or improper discipline in regard to habits, and 
should never be indulged by students, especially 
those who are preparing to be spiritual guides. 
These services, you will remember, should not 
take the place of your morning and evening 
devotions at your rooms. The latter should be 
observed without failure, whether you room alone, 
or in company with a Christian brother, or with 
one who is willing externally to join with you in 
such exercises. These public religious duties are 
not intended to interfere with those of a retired 
nature. They are designed as college services, 
and for the benefit of the officers and all the 
students collectively, the irreligious as well as the 
religious. 

2. Other occasional or special religious meet- 
ings should also be observed. These have re- 
ference to times, seasons and providences, and 
should be particularly regarded. As to the pro- 
priety and expediency of them, the Faculty of 
the Institution are suitable judges, and in them is 
invested the power of appointing them. Such are 
the religious duties imposed upon you by your 
Instructors, besides those of an acknowledged and 
specific nature which God himself hath enjoined. 



BY INSTRUCTORS. 5$ 

and which by them, are recognized as binding 
upon you. 

The reasons for your compliance with these 
requirements are, 

[. They are made by your Instructors, who 
have a right to make them. A neglect of them is 
as much a violation of a command, as the neglect 
of any duty whatever. It is not only contempt 
of authority, but disobedience to a wholesome 
regulation. 

2. A second reason for the observance of these 
duties is, your own spiritual and eternal benefit. 
Though the employment of a student need not 
necessarily expose him to vice and immorality; 
yet it has a tendency to cool his affections in 
religion, as it engrosses his attention while at col- 
lege, by those studies w"hich, generally speaking:, 
are rather foreign from religion, or are not par- 
ticularly adapted to excite pious feelings ; and 
while at the theological seminary, by those studies 
which are, to a considerable degree, theoretical, 
didactic, abstruse and metaphysical. 

3. Another reason still for the proper discharge 
of these duties is, that the neglect of them would 
manifest a disrelish for religion, indicate a bad 
state of mind, and produce a most unfavorable 
pubhc impression. It would savor of irreligion, 



56 DUTIES IMPOSED 

and give the enemy occasion to reproach the 
cause of the Redeemer. 

II. There are duties of a classical nature that 
appertain to the pursuit of your education, which 
devolve upon you. By these I mean attention to 
classical studies, as ancient and modern languages, 
the mathematics and philosophy, belles-lettres and 
rhetoric, theology and biblical literature; also com- 
position, declamation, etc. These duties should 
be performed with suitable diligence. 

1. They are reasonable. The course of studies 
at the Institutions of this country, is similar to that 
of the Institutions of Europe, and has been adopted 
after mature reflection, by the literary, the wise 
and the good. To resist this, is to oppose your 
judgment against the opinion of men distinguished 
for learning, wisdom and piety. It is irrational 
and contrary to sound discretion. 

2. Good scholarship requires proper attention 
to all the classical studies. A person may have a 
thorough knowledge of some one branch, and be 
very deficient in others. For instance, he may 
excel in the mathematics, and be not at all versed 
in the languages ; he may be a good proficient in 
natural and moral philosophy, and have but little 
acquaintance with profane or sacred history j ha 



BY INSTRUCTORS. 57 

may be a sound theologian, and yet be unskilled in 
exegetical learning. But a student of such partial 
education will never obtain the character of a good 
scholar in the general acceptation of the term. 

3. Usefulness requires that you should be tho- 
roughly acquainted with the several branches of 
science and literature, taught at our public Insti- 
tutions. When the community have so much 
general information as in the present day, it is 
absolutely necessary, that the education of clergy- 
men should be proportionably extended. Unless 
it is so, instead of being suitably estimated, 
they will be undervalued. They may be theolo- 
gians, but if they are not classical scholars, they 
will not be duly appreciated by the world, and by 
literary men. So on the other hand, though they 
may be well acquainted with the studies pursued 
at our colleges, yet if not well read in divinity, 
they will not be properly respected as ministers 
of the gospel ; and unless this is the case, their 
usefulness will be greatly abridged. 

4. Another reason, still, why you should strictly 
attend to all the classical studies is, that the 
Faculty demand this. You are bound to comply 
with all the requisitions they make, unless contrary 
to the laws of God, or your own personal interest. 
You, especially, bring yourselves under this obliga- 



68 DUTIES IMPOSED 

tioHj when you sign the rules of matriculation ; if 
you sign none, the obligation is implied. When- 
ever, therefore, you enter an institution, you bind 
yourselves sacredly to observe all its laws and 
regulations. And so long as you remain there, 
duty requires that you should do it. You may 
take a dismission if you please, and thus relieve 
yourselves from obligation to obedience ; but you 
can do it in no other way. While you remain 
a student, obligation to obedience rests upon you, 
and, consequently, you are bound to pursue a 
regular thorough course of classical and theologi- 
cal education ; — '^ that is, either preparing to enter 
college, or a member of some regularly constituted 
college, where a thorough classical course is pur- 
sued ; or engaged in theological studies with the 
design of taking a regular three years' course." 

Such are the duties imposed upon you by the 
officers of the Institution at which you are, and 
such are the reasons for the observance of them. 
As one deeply interested in the character you 
shall sustain, in the happiness you shall enjoy, 
and in the usefulness of which you shall be instru- 
mental, you will permit me to exhort you to give 
all diligence in the performance of these duties. 
Let no religious requirement pass unobeyed ; 



BY INSTRUCTORS. 59 

let no classical requisition be neglected. The 
character you establish, while in a course of 
education, will most probably abide with you 
during life. The reputation for religion, sobriety 
and scholarship, which you obtain, will be handed 
down with your name to those, that shall come 
after. Let these considerations stimulate you to 
make every laudable effort to increase in knowl- 
edge, human and divine. Knowledge is power, 
and sanctified learning enables its possessor to 
exert a greater influence in promoting the glory 
of God and the salvation of men. This is an 
additional inducement to seek it as '* the pearl of 
great price." 



LETTER yi. 

DUTIES VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED. 

Dear Brethren, 

In a former letter, I wrote in relation to 
the religious duties or services imposed on you 
by your Creator. These were specified to be as 
follows: reading and meditating on the Scriptures; 
secret prayer ; morning and evening prayers in 
your rooms when you have pious associates ; 
seasons of fasting and prayer; public worship on 
the Sabbath; and other implied duties, such as 
attending on religious conferences. The reasons 
for the discharge of these duties, I stated were, 
the command of God, your own personal benefit, 
and your more extensive usefulness. 

In another communication, I wrote respecting 
the duties imposed on you by your Instructors. 
Some of these are religious, as attendance on 



DUTIES VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED. 61 

morning and evening prayers in the chapel, and 
other occasional or special religious meetings. 
The reasons for observing these duties, are, the 
requisition of your instructors, your spiritual and 
eternal benefit, and the unfavorable public im* 
pression made by a neglect of them. The other 
duties mentioned, were of a classical nature, and 
appertain to the pursuit of your education. They 
are classical studies, as the study of ancient 
and modern languages, the mathematics and phi- 
losophy, history, belles-lettres and rhetoric, theol- 
ogy and biblical literature, composition, declama- 
tion, etc. The motives for observing these duties, 
are, their reasonableness ; good scholarship and 
usefulness on your part ; the command of the 
Faculty; and the expectation of the community. 

I would now add a few remarks in reference 
to those duties w^hich you impose upon your 
own selves, or which you voluntarily assume, or 
which arise incidentally from times and circum- 
stances. 

By the first of these duties, I refer to the 
obligations under which you are laid by con- 
necting yourselves with different religious and 
literary societies. In all our public institutions, 
so far as my knowledge extends, societies of 
this nature exist. Their design is the spiritual 



63 DUTIES VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED. 

or literary benefit of the students connected with 
them ; and to a greater or less degree, this design 
is subserved by them. It is, therefore, right and 
best that you should associate yourselves with 
others in this manner and for such purposes. 
This, surely, you should do to a reasonable ex- 
tent. I say reasonable extent ; for the question 
has occurred to my mind, whether the number 
Qf such associations is not too great at some 
of our public institutions. They seem to occupy 
an undue proportion of the time, and their effect 
in some measure is to dissipate the mind, and 
thus unfit it, at least in a degree, for the severer 
studies. The duties to which reference is here 
made, are of a voluntary nature, and originate 
in your covenant engagements, and should be 
performed, so far as time, opportunity and prior 
duties will permit. 

1. Your social benefit requires this. 

Man was made for society, and much of his 
happiness is derived from social intercourse. It 
is desirable that students should cultivate their 
social powers so far as compatible w^ith their 
pecuniary, literary, and religious interests. It is 
not only lawful, but expedient and laudable to 
do it. 

2. Your literary benefit urges you to the dis- 
charge of these duties. 



DUTIES VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED. 63 

This is one way in which you are to improve 
your minds, either by storing them with know- 
ledge, expanding their faculties, strengthening or 
preparing them for greater and better service. 

3. Your spiritual benefit is another motive for a 
compliance with such engagements. 

In social religious meetings, the religious affec- 
tions of the soul are 'excited and strengthened, 
the Christian graces are cultivated, and the best 
moral feelings are promoted. Such meetings are 
the means of grace, and by them the heart is 
made better. This is the principal design of 
them, and with this object in view, they should 
be observed. 

4. Covenant engagements bind to the perform- 
ance of these duties. 

All societies have some constitution, written 
or unwritten, expressed or implied. And they 
have not only general principles, but particular 
rules by which they are governed ; and all who 
become connected with them, agree to conform 
to such regulations and abide by them. So when 
you join a society in any public institution, you 
enter into solemn engagements to adhere to its 
constitution and rules, and you are thus bound 
to comply with them. 

You will not be exonerated from these duties, 



64 DUTIES VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED. 

if you can, without neglect of other and more 
important ones, discharge them. And you are 
bound to discharge them to the best of your 
ability, that is, in the best manner your talents 
and time will permit. Never be delinquent, 
except through imperious necessity ; but always 
be punctual and faithful in the performance of 
every service assigned to you. In thus acquitting 
yourselves, you will have a conscience void of 
offence towards God and man, and obtain for 
yourselves a good report of more value than 
worldly treasures. 

There are other duties of an incidental kind, 
which arise from times and circumstances. I mean 
such as the following : attending extra religious 
meetings, conversation with saints and sinners, 
extra compositions, epistolary correspondence, gen- 
eral reading, etc. The time to be devoted to these 
must depend altogether on circumstances. 

Thus, in the ways and to the extent I have 
mentioned, you should employ your time and 
talents for the glory of your Maker, your own 
benefit, and the well-being of others. 

May God give you hearts to perform his whole 
will, and thus may you find acceptance with him 
to the glory of his great name. 



LETTER VII. 

COURSE AND MANNER OF READING. 

Dear Brethren, 

I have often been solicited to express an 
opinion in regard to the books it is desirable 
young men should own, while in their course of 
study for the ministry, and also what selection of 
books it would be well for them to read. This 
subject is one of importance, as it respects your 
pecuniary, literary, and religious interests, and, 
therefore, demands attention. 

The books which every student should pos- 
sess while in his course of preparation for the 
ministry, are the following. 

1. The Bible. This is emphatically the book 

of books, and no student should permit himself to 

be destitute of it a single day. It is important 

to possess a self-interpreting Bible, or one with 

5 



66 COURSE AND MANNER 

references, that you may read it more under- 
standingly and to greater profit, as Canne's Bible, 
Scott's Reference Bible, Wilbur's Bible, Polyglott 
Bible, with marginal readings, etc. In reading 
the Bible, you will always find it useful to com- 
pare the different parts of it, one with another. 
By doing this, you will obtain a more correct 
knowledge of the word of truth, and your im- 
pressions in respect to those portions of the Bible 
which you read from time to time will be more 
deep and permanent. If your knowledge of the 
languages will permit, you will do well to study 
the Scriptures in the tongues in which they were 
originally written. 

2. You should possess a Hymn Book, and not 
only own one, but often peruse it. This will 
promote your devotional feelings and personal 
holiness. It will also render you familiar with 
the Psalms and Hymns usually sung in public 
worship, and thus be an assistance to you when 
you enter the ministry. The best Hymn Books 
with which I am acquainted, are Worcester's Watts 
with the Selection, and the Church Psalmody. 
There are other collections of Hymns, which are 
valuable, as Dwight's, and the Hymn Book gen- 
erally used in the Presbyterian Church. 

3. It wall also be of great service to you to 



OF READING. 67 

have in your possession for constant daily use, a 
Manual of Theology and Devotions, or a book 
containing the truths of the gospel classified or 
methodically arranged, proved, illustrated, and 
enforced, as well as a series of resolutions and 
of questions for self-examination, and prayers 
adapted to the various circumstances and occa- 
sions of life. You need such a work far more 
than you may imagine ; especially those of you 
who are pursuing your academical and collegiate 
studies. You need it as a guide for thoughts, feel- 
ings and expressions. As you have not time to read 
large systems of divinity, a compendium of theology 
must be valuable to you, as it will contain inultumin 
parvo. Considering the youth and inexperience of 
many of you, it is not to be expected that all will 
be able to vindicate the doctrines of Christianity 
against the attacks of opposers, as circumstances 
may sometimes require, without some previous 
preparation. Such a work as I have mentioned 
will furnish you with arguments to oppose error 
and defend the truth. Resolutions in regard to 
the duties of life, questions of self-examination, 
and subjects for religious meditation and reflection, 
are deserving your most devout attention. These 
will be a great auxiliary to your growth in grace. 
To possess the gift of prayer is very desirable. 



68 COURSE AND MANNER 

To assist you in thought and language, forms of 
prayer, especially if they are interwoven with a 
good selection of passages from the word of God, 
will be of advantage. Such a work will be bene- 
ficial to you while in your preparatory studies, 
and in subsequent life. You will be led to think 
more accurately on the doctrines and duties of the 
gospel, and to feel more correctly and devotion- 
ally, and to pray with greater propriety than you 
otherwise would. 

4. You will not fail to possess the classical 
books you need — 'that is, all those books which 
you study as text-books, and are specified by the 
Faculty of the institution in their course of study. 
Books of this nature should be owned by every 
student, that he may not be dependent on others, 
and be often interrupted in his studies. Where 
books are owned in partnership, as is sometimes 
the case with students, there must be an unhappy 
interference while obtaining the lesson. Each will 
usually desire the text-book at the same time, and 
the one not permitted to use it at the best time, 
will labor under great embarrassment and disad- 
vantage. Feelings of alienation will gradually be 
produced, though the individuals may be uncon- 
scious of it ; and the one not enjoying the best 
privileges will frame to himself from this circum- 



' OF READING. 69 

Stance a reason sufficient in his own mind for not 
learning his lesson. Besides, the real expense for 
classical books will not be great ; for ordinarily 
they may be purchased cheaply at second hand, 
and be sold as soon as you have used them, with 
but little discount. 

5. While it is desirable, and, I may say, 
indispensable, that you possess the books men- 
tioned, it is not absolutely necessary that you 
should be the owner of others while in the course 
of your preparatory studies. The books which it 
may be important you should consult as books of 
reference, or read as books of history, travels, 
biography, etc., may ordinarily be obtained from 
libraries, to which you may easily have access. 
As a general rule read only books that are moral 
and chaste — books of genius and spirit, and but 
few periodicals. The following are works, from 
which a selection for reading may be made, viz. 

I. History. 

Jahn's Hebrew Commonwealth, translated by 
Prof. Stowe, (best work of the kind) ; Josephus's 
Wars of the Jews; Brown's Antiquities of the 
Jews ; Rollin's Ancient History (some parts may 
be omitted — rather prolix) ; Mitford's History of 
Greece ; Ferguson's History of the Roman Re- 



70 COURSE AND MANNER 

public ; Millot's Elements of History ; Gibbon's 
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, (style 
rich, but too elaborate to be a good model, and in 
its tendency, the work is infidel) ; Hallam's History 
of the Middle Ages; Robertson's Charles V. (style 
preferable to that of Gibbon) ; Milner's Church 
History, with the continuation of John Scott, 
(it is particularly a history of the Church, not 
embracing many other things) ; Mosheim's Eccle- 
siastical History, Murdock's edition, (it com- 
prises much, which is to be viewed as not 
connected with the Church) ; Turner's History 
of England ; Goldsmith's History of England, 
(a simple and good style) ; Hallam's Constitu- 
tional History of England, (containing valuable 
political principles) ; Russell's Modern Europe, 
(so far as the continent is concerned) ; Scott's 
Napoleon, (compared with other accounts of him); 
Grahame's History of the United States, (last 
edition) ; Marshall's Life of Washington, (very 
valuable) ; Writings of Washington by Sparks ; 
Robertson's History of South America; Ellis's 
Polynesian Researches ; Botta's History ; Mills's 
History of British India; Frazer's History of 
Persia; Gutzlaff's History of China, (the most 
valuable work on China to be found) ; Russell's 
History of Palestine ; Pitkin's Civil and Political 



OF READING. 71 

History of the United States, (a very valuable 
work); Holmes's American Annals; Histories of 
the several States of the United States. 

n. Travels. 

Travels of Silliman ; Neibuhr ; Burckhardt ; 
Park; Lander; Gobat, in Iceland and Russia; 
Clarke ; Parry and Franklin, in the Polar Re- 
gions ; Humboldt ; Dwight ; Travels of Missiona- 
ries, contained in the Missionary Herald. 

UI. Belles-lettres. 

Madame de Stael's Germany ; Schlegel's Lec- 
tures on the History of Literature ; Irving's 
Sketch-Book and Life of Columbus, (valuable 
for style and facts); Robert Hall's Works, (valua- 
ble for style) ; John Foster's Works ; Spectator ; 
some of the volumes of the Harpers' Family 
Library ; Mrs. More's Works ; Burke's Works ; 
Elegant Extracts, New York edition. 

IV. Biography. 

Boswell's Johnson ; Allen's Biographical Dic- 
tionary, containing much important matter that 
is historical in relation to this country ; Life of 
Buchanan ; Sir William Jones ; Henry Martyn ; 
Prior's Life of Burke; Brainard; Samuel J. Mills; 
Felix NefF; Payson ; Legh Richmond ; Thomas 
Scott; Andrew Fuller; William Pitt; John Jay; 
Elias Cornelius ; Porter; Luther; Calvin; Knox; 
Hunter's Sacred Biography. 



73 COURSE AND MANNER 

V. Poetry. 

Milton ; Cowper ; Montgomery ; Young ; Bry- 
ant ; Pollok's Course of Time ; Thomson's Sea- 
son's; Goldsmith's Deserted Village and Traveller; 
Akenside's Pleasures of Imagination. 

VI. Devotion. 

Bible ; Hymn Book ; Doddridge's Rise and 
Progress ; Buck on Experience ; Buck's Young 
Christian's Guide; Thomas a Kempis; Henry on 
Meekness ; Christ is Precious, by Thornton ; Bax- 
ter's Saints' Rest ; Flavel on Keeping the Heart ; 
Pilgrim's Progress ; Pike's Cases of Conscience ; 
Scougal's Life of God in the Soul of Man ; 
Edwards on the Affections; Flavel's Touchstone; 
Sir Matthew Hale's Contemplations ; Owen on 
Spiritual Mindedness. 

Having thus specified the Books you should 
possess, and also such as are suitable for you to 
read, it may not be improper to subjoin a few 
remarks in reference to your method of perusing 
Books, and especially those whose contents and 
merits are not known. 

1. Read the title-page; that the subject and 
author may be known. 

2. Run over the introduction or preface ; that 
the object in view, and the manner of accom- 
plishing it may be understood.* 



OF READING. 73 

3. Take a view of the contents ; that the 
subjects discussed may be fully apprehended. 
" The index is the face of the book." 

4. Cast your eyes upon the discussion of a few- 
important points ; that you may learn the manner 
in which they are treated. 

5. If the title-page be proper, and the writer 
an able and judicious person ; if the preface be 
apposite ; if the contents be such as they should 
be ; if the discussion of a few important points 
appear to be good ; then, if the book is on an 
important subject, read it through if you have time 
for it. But if all these, or the most of them, be 
otherwise than I have stated, lay the book aside. 
The probability is, it is not worth your perusal. 

6. When you read, make a mark on the margin, 
or bottom of the page, with a pencil, against the 
most important thoughts or topics, that you may 
review them. Reflect on these when you first 
read them, and also when you read them the 
second time. Lord Bacon says, " There are 
books which must be merely tasted, others which 
must be swallowed whole, and a few^ which should 
be manducated, eaten and digested." 

7. Possess a common-place book, and as you 
read, note down the leading thoughts. Sometimes 
quote. Sometimes quote the thoughts, and express 



74 COURSE AND MANNER OF READING. 

them in your own language. Catch the spirit of 
what you read, while you forget the language in 
which the thoughts were conveyed. Preserve 
these memoranda for perusal in some future time, 
that you may more thoroughly digest them. 

8. In all your reading and study, frequently lift 
up your souls to God that he would aid you in 
apprehending what is fact, truth and duty, that 
you may be wiser, better, happier, and more 
useful. '^ Bene orasse est bene studuisse," was 
Luther's motto. 

Thus, dear brethren, I have expressed my views 
in relation to the books you ought to possess, and 
the books from which it will be w^ell for you to 
make a selection for reading. You will understand 
that the list of authors I have given is to be con- 
sidered general and imperfect. Many more books 
of a similar character might be mentioned ; but 
those specified are sufficient for the purpose in- 
tended. The suggestions in relation to the manner 
of reading, I trust you will find profitable. The 
above thoughts are submitted with the hope that 
they may be subservient to your good. And may 
the great Lord of the harvest, whose prerogative 
it is to raise up laborers for his harvest, make you 
pastors after his own heart, and prepare you for 
extended usefulness in his church. 



LETTER VIII. 



THOROUGH EDUCATION. 



Dear Brethren, 

The time was when strong prejudices against 
an educated ministry existed in the minds of many 
who now are decidedly in favor of it. This 
change is an indication of good to the cause of 
the Redeemer. With truth it maybe said, that an 
education as preparatory to the work of preaching 
the gospel, is in the present day, almost universally 
acknowledged to be important. Indeed, ''pastors 
who shall feed the people with knowledge and 
with understanding" are, by most Christian de- 
nominations, peremptorily demanded. Permit me 
then to direct your attention, 

I. To what is imphed in a thorough education 
for the ministry. 



76 THOROUGH EDUCATION. 

Such an education implies a thorough course of 
academical, collegiate and theological instruction, 
or the attainment of a full and accurate knowledge 
of those classical and theological studies which are 
pursued at our academies, colleges, and theologi- 
cal seminaries. This is what is understood by a 
liberal education for the ministry. To be account- 
ed a man of thorough education, in the common 
acceptation of the term, it is not expected that such 
an one be distinguished in every branch of study, 
as the languages, the mathematics, philosophy, etc. 
There are but few if any of this description. 
Various are the natural talents of men. All are 
not geniuses, and all cannot be equally good 
linguists, mathematicians or philosophers. The 
scholarship of individuals will vary according to 
the peculiar native talents which they possess. 
Some are favored with a rich imagination, others 
with acute reasoning powers ; some with a ready 
perception, others with a retentive memory ; some 
with accurate judgment, others with a mathe- 
matical cast of intellect. The education of indi- 
viduals will therefore in some measure be varied 
by the natural bias of their minds. But every 
person of respectable understanding may, by in- 
dustrious application, become a good scholar or 
may obtain a thorough education ; that is, a full 



THOROUGH EDUCATION. 77 

and accurate knowledge of those branches taught 
at our colleges and theological seminaries. 

11. Why is a thorough education for the min- 
istry necessary ? 

1. The opinion of the community requires it. 
Nearly all the denominations of Christians now 

advocate a regular and thorough course of educa- 
tion for the ministry. Ignorance is viewed no 
more, as a qualification for the sacred functions, 
than it is as the parent of devotion. In the esti- 
mation of the public, clergymen must be educated 
men. No other ministers will be tolerated. The 
general voice is, "The priest's lips should keep 
knowledge." What was termed by our forefathers 
a learned ministry, the community in the present 
day absolutely require. 

2. The work to be performed by ministers de- 
mands that they be men of thorough education. 

Is it desirable, that an ambassador to a foreign 
court possess extensive knowledge ? How much 
more important is it that an ambassador from the 
court of Heaven should be well furnished with 
mental attainments ! 

" He that negotiates between God and man, 
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns 
Of judgment and of mercy," 



78 THOROUGH EDUCATION. 

should be a man of a cultivated mind. And 
though he may not become an intellectual giant, as 
was Owen, Howe, and some of their cotemporaries 
of the ]7th century; yet he may be well versed 
in literary and theological science — be " mighty 
in the Scriptures." The magnitude of the work 
requires that Ministers possess not only knowl- 
edge^ but discipline of mind — proper regimen of 
its powers, and an ability to bring out of their 
treasury things new and old. Then will they 
" magnify their office," and "make full proof of 
their ministry," and be '^ workmen that need not 
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 

3. The present times require it. 

The exigencies of Christian and of heathen 
lands call for a thorough education in the ministry. 
Those who preach the gospel must be respected 
for their talents and learning, as well as for their 
piety. The state of society requires it. General 
information is now extended through the com- 
munity. A spirit of inquiry is abroad. More 
knowledge in the ministry is needed on this ac- 
count. In these times of excitement, which try 
men's souls, ministers of great physical strength, 
which consists of native capacity of body and 
mind, of great mental power which consists of 
knowledge, and of great moral power which con- 
sists of holiness, are demanded. 



THOROUGH EDUCATION. 79 

4. The great Head of the Church requires, that 
his ambassadors be well prepared to discharge the 
duties devolving upon thetn in their high vocation. 

He sent not forth his apostles until they had 
received his instructions at least three years, and 
also his promise, that they should enjoy the in- 
spiration of the Holy Ghost. Paul was brought 
up at the feet of Gamaliel. Timothy w^as ex- 
horted to ''give attendance to reading, to doctrine, 
to meditation on these things, and to give himself 
wholly to them." It is no easy thing so to preach 
as to enlighten the ignorant, instruct the learned, 
silence the cavilling, quicken the dead in tres- 
passes and sins, and edify the people of God unto 
salvation. To plead well for the name, honor and 
kingdom of the adored Saviour, a man must be 
a scribe well instructed into the kingdom, and 
have an unction from the Holy One of Israel. 
For, if his 

"learning, like the lunar beam, affords 



Light but not heat; and leaves him undevout, 
Frozen at heart, while speculation shines," 

his instructions will not be a word in season to 
him that is weary. Learning, though vastly im- 
portant, should not be considered a substitute for 
piety. It may indeed be its handmaid, but not 
its mistress. The ministers, well-pleasing in the 



80 THOROUGH EDUCATION. 

sight of Jehovah, are such as he will furnish for 
the church in the latter days of Christianity, when 
he ''will give pastors according to his heart, which 
shall feed his people with knowledge and under- 
standing." These will be ministers eminently 
qualified for their profession, of extensive learning, 
critical research — profound investigation. 

III. How shall a thorough education for the 
ministry be obtained ? 

By pursuing a regular and full course of literary 
and theological study. This can be done to the 
best advantage at our public institutions of learning. 
It is not maintained that a man cannot acquire a 
liberal education in the arts and sciences without 
immuring himself within the walls of a college. 
He may do it, — may even become a proficient 
in them by private or self-instruction, though he 
would make more rapid and extended profi- 
ciency, should he enjoy the advantages of a public 
education. A full and thorough knowledge of the 
studies required in each stage, as at the academy, 
college, and theological seminary, ought to be ob- 
tained. No person should enter college till he is 
well prepared, that is, accurately and fully under- 
stands the studies required for admission. So 
when a young man has become matriculated in 



THOROUGH EDUCATION. 81 

some college, he should endeavor to pursue the 
prescribed course of study, viz. attend to all the 
branches taught at the institution, that he may 
possess some general scholarship. I would here 
enlarge, as students not unfrequently misjudge in 
this respect. The object of a collegiate course 
of instruction is not to give a partial education or 
a knowledge of a few branches only ; nor to give 
a general education or a superficial knowledge of 
many branches ; nor to finish the studies required 
for either of the learned professions; — but to 
commence and carry forward a thorough course 
of instruction in many branches, so far as the 
student's time and abilities will permit, and this 
too in such a manner as to produce a proper 
symmetry and balance of intellectual and moral 
character. In obtaining, therefore, a collegiate 
education, suitable attention should be paid to the 
different branches of science and literature. To 
prevent distortion of intellectual character, it is 
necessary that the young men in our colleges 
study the languages, the mathematics, philosophy, 
natural and political science, ethics, and the grand 
principles of our holy religion. Thus they will 
lay the ground-work of a thorough education — of 
high intellectual and moral attainments. This 
6 



82 THOROUGH EDUCATION. 

foundation is not peculiar to either of the learned 
professions, but common to them all. 

Having gone through a regular course of collegi- 
ate education, it is desirable, that a student pursue 
systematically and thoroughly the studies usually 
taught in our theological seminaries. There must 
be no abridgment in the amount of study ; no 
ignorance baptized and sent into the sanctuary of 
God. Thorough training of minds in the literature 
of the Bible, in the science of religion, is needed 
to qualify for the high and sacred work of the 
ministry. 

In conclusion I would remark, that most de- 
plorable are the consequences of a defective edu- 
cation for the ministry. Its evils are palpable and 
appalling. By such an education the usefulness 
of a minister is greatly circumscribed ; for he is 
altogether unqualified to teach the deep things of 
God, of Christ, of the Holy Ghost, of man, of 
heaven, and of hell. With superficial acquisitions 
for the ministry, what would have been achieved 
for Jesus Christ by Augustine, or Calvin, or Ed- 
wards, — names now immortal in two worlds.^ 
They never would, like the sun in the heavens, 
have imparted light and heat, and vivified all 
within the circle of their sacred influence as they 



TFIOROUGH EDUCATION. 83 

did. A partial education degrades the clerical 
profession. It not only diminishes its usefulness, 
but lowers its dignity. It also subtracts from the 
reputation of the minister on account of his want 
of ability to promote as he otherwise would, the 
honor of God and the salvation of men ; and on 
account of the low estimation in which he is held 
by those around him. The influence of ministers 
should be felt on the education, literature, and 
taste of the age in which they live ; but this will 
never be the case unless they are finished scholars 
and possess varied learning. 

Such, dear brethren, are the views which I en- 
tertain of the importance of a thorough education 
for the gospel ministry ; and such, it appears to 
me desirable, you should possess. Be entreated 
to study this subject properly, that you may fully 
understand it, with all its important bearings ; and 
then you will be able rightly to appreciate a tho- 
rough training of your own minds for the clerical 
office, and to advocate the course adopted by all 
the public institutions of the land, with only one or 
two exceptions. May you all become such pastors 
as shall be able to feed the people with knowledge 
and understanding. 



LETTER IX. 



HABITS OF STUDY. 



Dear Brethren, 

Habit is justly denominated "second nature;'^ 
and when conformable to what is right, it greatly 
facilitates the discharge of duty. Man is some- 
times called " a bundle of habits," because these 
seem to make up his nature and to constitute his 
character. How important, then, that these be 
correct ! No persons are more liable to form 
habits, and none are more powerfully affected by 
them, than students. This is fully illustrated in 
the change of character which takes place while 
in their course of education. A proper consid- 
eration of this subject, in application to study, can 
be neither uninteresting nor unprofitable to you. 
It is proposed, therefore, in this communication^ 



HABITS OF STUDY, 85 

to discuss, in a brief manner, the habits of study 
which it is desirable you should form. 

1. Your habits of study should be systematic. 

'' Order is Heaven's first law ; " and it should 
be the first law of man. Every thing in relation 
to studies should be attended to in a regular 
manner, and then you will accomplish much and 
have leisure also. You will be most successful 
by adopting some judicious method in your pur- 
suits. Permit me here to give you a brief outline 
of the manner in which your time may be advan- 
tageously occupied ; not specifying the minuti(B, 
but merely suggesting some general thoughts on 
this subject. I would premise that it is impossible 
to fix the exact proportion of each day to be 
allowed to study, devotion, exercise, and the little 
necessary affairs of hfe. A wise scholar will aim 
at a due regard to them all ; while a slothful one 
will neglect some of them altogether, or pay to 
them a disproportionate attention. A plan for the 
employment of the day should be daily adopted, 
and the routine of engagements prescribed for 
yourselves should be fixedly pursued. If possible, 
every article of business should be attended to at 
the time assigned to it. Wuhout such a plan and 
adherence to it, much time will be lost, many 
things will occur to interrupt, confusion and dis- 
order will perpetually attend you. 



86 HABITS OF STUDY. 

I remark then, rise at the dawn of day. This 
is the dictate of nature. On the return of light, 
you should awake and rise to greet its approach. 
But the drowsy feeling which says ^' a little sleep, 
a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to 
sleep," when indulged, is injurious to health, 
scholarship, and devotion. Says the industrious 
Dr. Doddridge, " I will here record the obser- 
vation which I have found of great use to myself, 
and to which I may say that the production of this 
work" (his Family Expositor) " and most of my 
other writings are owing, viz : that the difference 
between rising at jive and at seven of the clock in 
the morning for a space of forty years, supposing 
a man to go to bed at the same hour at night, is 
nearly equivalent to the addition of ten years to a 
man's life, of which, supposing the two hours in 
question to be spent, eight hours every day should 
be employed in study and devotion." It was a 
remark of Dean Swift, that he " never knew any 
man come to greatness and eminence who lay in 
bed of a morning." Though this observation will 
not apply universally, yet it is true to a very great 
extent. Early rising results not only in the saving 
of time and the extension of scholarship, but also 
in the promotion of heahh and good spirits. 

On rising, put yourselves in order for the day. 



HABITS OF STUDY. 87 

Let your attire, personal preparations, and little 
affairs be all attended to immediately. It is dis- 
gusting, and it is injurious to body, soul and rep- 
utation, for a student to neglect the requisite 
attention to his personal appearance till a late 
hour. It was said of Gen. Washington, that "his 
habitual practice was not to leave his chamber in 
the morning until he was fully dressed for the 
day." 

Let your Maker have the full homage of your 
souls. Spend at least twenty-five minutes in 
secret devotion, that is, in reading and meditating 
on the Scriptures and in prayer. Thus com- 
mence the day with God, that you may receive 
his guidance and blessing throughout its passing 
hours. " The great Dr. Boerhaave acknowledged 
that an hour spent every morning in private prayer 
and meditation, gave him spirit and vigor for the 
business of the day, kept his temper active, 
patient, and calm." Such are the natural effects 
of sincere prayer. 

Give attention to your classical studies, espe- 
cially if you have a recitation early in the morning. 
Always be in readiness for this season of exam- 
ination and improvement. Duty and interest urge 
to this. Besides, the morning is unquestionably 
the best time for study. 



88 HABITS OF STUDY. 

If the arrangements of the institution are such 
as to require attendance next on morning public 
prayer, you will not fail, extras excepted, to 
comply with this duty and enjoy this privilege. 
Be punctual and circumspect in the observance 
of this service. 

Perhaps you will now be called to recitation. 
If so, cheerfully obey the summons, and be sea- 
sonably present, that you may avoid the imputation 
of being tardy. Never allow yourselves to be 
absent from recitation, unless unavoidable cir- 
cumstances absolutely require it. 

The time for taking your morning's meal will 
now have arrived. Go to this refreshment with 
feelings of gratitude to the Giver of your mercies, 
and receive his bounties in a cheerful and re- 
spectful manner. Avoid, with detestation, all 
uncouth and indecent practices at table. 

If you have any time for exercise previous to 
breakfast, it may be usefully improved in that way. 
Your most laborious or vigorous exercise should 
be taken before meals, rather than afterwards. 
Gentle exercise for a few moments after breakfast, 
will be found useful. 

Returning to your rooms, you will find it con- 
venient and profitable to spend a short season in 
reading some portion of the sacred Scriptures and 



HABITS OF STUDY. 89 

in prayer. Where two students room together, 
this service should be social. Each should take 
his turn in leading in these devotional exercises. 

The next thing to be attended to, is the lesson 
for the forenoon. This should occupy your mind 
till it is fully obtained. If the hour of recitation 
shall not have arrived when your lesson is gotten, 
you can amuse yourselves for a time in miscella- 
neous reading, or in some incidental matters, to 
which your attention is properly called, such as 
writing letters, etc. 

When the recitation for the forenoon is over, if 
time permit, take exercise again. This will serve 
to enliven and invigorate the body and mind, and 
give you an appetite for dinner. 

Having dined, a short time may be spent in 
relaxation — in wa king, conversation, etc. Before 
commencing your studies for the afternoon, devote 
at least ten minutes to reflection and prayer in 
secret. 

If you have a recitation in the afternoon, fail 
not to be well prepared for it. It is inexcusable 
in a student to appear in the presence of his in- 
structor with his lesson imperfectly gotten. Some 
students imagine, that to be great scholars they 
must attend particularly to general reading, as 
works on history, imagination, taste, etc., even to 



99 HABITS OF STUDY. 

the partial neglect of their classical studies. This 
is erroneous reasoning. While it is desirable, 
when opportunity is afforded, to read for relax- 
ation, amusement, information and improvement, 
it is never desirable nor expedient to omit a re- 
citation on this account. 

A season will elapse between recitation and 
public evening prayers and tea. This may be 
occupied in exercise or miscellaneous services 
and duties. 

After supper, the first general business should 
be to study your lesson for the morning. When 
this is obtained, you will spend the remainder of 
the evening in your regular course of reading, or 
in attending to those things which must necessarily 
be performed. 

Before retiring to rest, read a chapter in 
the Bible and engage in prayer. This practice 
should be maintained, whether you room alone or 
in company with another. This is not to be 
viewed as secret devotions ; for such services 
respect the individual only who engages in them. 
Whether he reads or meditates or prays, he does 
it in relation to himself. The whole is individual, 
personal and secret ; and these services should 
be maintained regularly every night just before 
retiring to rest. 



HABITS OF STUDY. 91 

The hour for repose should be such as to afford 
a sufficient opportunity for rest and sleep before the 
eastern horizon shall be streaked with the morn- 
ing's light. No particular time can be specified 
for every individual. Some constitutions require 
more sleep than others. Perhaps the time to be 
allotted to sleep daily, as a general rule, is from 
six to eight hours ; and this should all be between 
the setting and the rising of the sun. 

Such is a general plan of engagements of a 
student for a day. Other duties will devolve 
upon you from time to time. There will oc- 
casionally be lectures, extra-recitations, society 
meetings and conferences to attend, and various 
kinds of interruptions will occur. The plan which 
I have mentioned, should be carried out in its 
principles in the occupancy of every day. Every 
morning make a just distribution of your time, 
that each hour may be properly occupied, and 
write it down in your memorandum. Pursue this 
course, and in a short time it will become natural 
and easy. Custom is seldom irksome, and in 
following this, '^ labor ipse voluptas,^^ 

2. Your habits of study should be steady. 
Uniformity of plan and pursuits is very desirable. 
Fickleness in a student, is ominous of evil. Be 
constant, then, in your efforts to obtain knowledge. 



93 HABITS OF STUDY. 

and never wait for what is sometimes termed by 
students an afflatus. He who delays an attention 
to his studies in expectation of some happy im- 
pulses, will ordinarily wait in vain. 

3. You should be habitually diligent in your 
studies. Without industrious application you will 
not become masters of those elementary treatises 
which you will be called to learn. But by con- 
stant and unwearied labor in the pursuits of science 
you will be successful. There is great truth in the 
saying of Periander, the Grecian : MeUrri to ndv, 

4. Your habits of study should be zealously 
active. Indolence is incompatible with good schol- 
arship. '' Sloth is the rust of the soul." Though 
a student be regular, steady, and even diligent; 
yet if he be not zealously engaged, he will not 
make rapid progress. There is a sort of mental 
abstraction, in some individuals, which is detri- 
mental to advancement in knowledge. Great 
activity in study is indispensable to great success. 
In this respect the injunction of the apostle is ap- 
plicable, '' Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do 
it with thy might." Literary drones should be 
driven from all academic halls. 

5. You should cultivate habits of perseverance 
in study. 

In zeal, some students " run well," but it is only 



HABITS OF STUDY. 93 

for a season, and, consequently, they never ascend 
the heights of Parnassus. Persevering efforts 
in a right way, will accomplish wonders. By 
assiduous, untiring endeavors, Demosthenes tri- 
umphed at the forum, and Julius Cassar in the 
field. 

6. You should endeavor to acquire a habit of 
pursuing your studies with a determination to suc- 
ceed in them. 

By perseverance with determination of success, 
the principia of Sir Isaac Newton were formed and 
the pyramids of Egypt were erected. The temple 
of science is represented as being on the summit 
of a mountain, difficult of ascent. The injunction 
of the wise man, therefore, should be heeded by 
every student, in application to his literary pur- 
suits : " Take fast hold of instruction ; let her not 
go ; keep her, for she is thy life." 

7. The habit of obtaining an accurate and full 
knowledge of the studies to which you are called 
to attend, should be sought. 

It is not wrong but right, to desire, from proper 
motives, the reputation of being a thorough scholar. 
Learn, then, every part of your lesson, so that you 
may be able to recite it promptly and fluently. In 
order to this, you will attend to one thing at a time 
and finish it. When it can be done, take a review 



94 HABITS OF STUDY. 

of the lesson, just before summoned to recitation. 
Acquire, if possible, the habit of accurate and pro- 
found investigation, and be not weary in studying 
demonstrations in conic sections, or the problems 
of Euclid. And in all your studies, aim at sym- 
metrical proportions, n i indulging a predilection 
for some studies to the neglect of others equally 
important. 

Lastly. It is your duty to form the habit of 
accompanying all your efforts to obtain knowledge 
with prayer. 

^'In all thy ways acknowledge God, and he 
shall direct thy paths." It is duty to do this in 
your studies as well as in every thing else ; and 
if it be done, the blessing of the Almighty may be 
expected to follow. Constantly, then, implore the 
assistance of the Holy Spirit on your endeavors to 
acquire knowledge. He can, and no doubt does 
at times, expand and invigorate the intellectual 
facuhies and enlarge their vision, strengthen the 
powers of memory, render accurate the judgment, 
and sanctify the knowledge acquired. " Think 
with yourself," says Dr. Watts, '^ how easily and 
how insensibly, by one turn of thought, he can 
lead you into a large scene of useful ideas ; he 
can teach you to lay hold on a clew which may 
guide your thoughts with safety and ease through 



HABITS OF STUDY. 95 

all the difficulties of an intricate subject. Think 
how easily the Author of your being can direct 
your motions by his providence, so that the glance 
of an eye, or a word striking the ear, or a sudden 
turn of the fancy, shall conduct you to a train 
of happy sentiments. By his secret and supreme 
method of government, he can draw you to read 
such a treatise, or to converse with such a person, 
who may give you more light into some deep 
subject in an hour, than you could obtain by a 
month of your own solitary labor. Think with 
yourself, with how much ease the God of spirits 
can cast into your mind some useful suo:gestion, 
and give a happy turn to your own thoughts, or 
the thoughts of those with whom you converse, 
whence you may derive unspeakable light and 
satisfaction in a matter that has puzzled and en- 
tangled you ; he can show you a ' path which the 
vulture's eye has not seen,' and lead you by some 
unknown gate or portal out of a wilderness and 
labyrinth of difficulties where you have been long 
wandering." Dr. Doddridge said ''that he never 
advanced well in human learning without prayer, 
and that he always made the most proficiency 
in his studies when he prayed with the greatest 
fervency." Says John Newton, '' the chief means 
of obtaining wisdom and suitable gifts for the min- 



96 HABITS OF STUDY. 

istry are the Holy Scriptures and prayer. The 
one is the fountain of living water ; the other the 
bucket with which we are to draw." 

Hearken, then, dear brethren, unto the voice 
which says, " Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and 
apply thine heart to understanding ; yea, if thou 
criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for 
understanding ; if thou seekest her as silver, and 
searchest for her as for hid treasures ; then shalt 
thou understand the fear of the Lord and find 
the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth 
wisdom ; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and 
understanding." 



LETTER X. 

EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. 

Dear Brethren, 

The subject of my last letter, was habits of 
study. The present one will relate to your 
external deportment. This should ever be ex- 
pressive of reverence towards God, and of re- 
gard towards yourselves and those with whom you 
associate. 

I. Your external deportment should be rever- 
ent tov/ards the Most High, in regard to his being, 
character, works, and government. 

Whatever brings reproach upon the existence, 

perfections, works, law or gospel of God, is 

irreverence towards him ; and whatever manifests 

approbation of these, is reverence towards him. 

7 



98 EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. 

God, therefore, may be treated reverently or irrev- 
erently, by looks, words, and actions. 

1. By looks. The countenance is an index of 
the heart. By this, we exhibit to those around us 
our thoughts and feelings, at least in some degree. 
Now as we are bound to reverence the Most High, 
so we are bound to exhibit this reverence in looks. 
Let your countenance then be such as profound 
veneration for God would produce under the cir- 
cumstances in which you are. Let holiness to 
the Lord, be so legibly inscribed upon the visage 
which he has given you, that '' he may run that 
reads it." Let the truth of God, the love of 
Jesus, and concern for the salvation of souls, be 
depicted in your very looks. 

2. God may be treated reverently or irrever- 
ently by words* These are symbolical of thoughts 
and feelings. By language, is ascertained in a 
good degree the state of the heart — what is 
predominant there. ^' Out of the abundance 
of the heart the mouth speaketh." " With the 
tongue, bless we God even the Father ; and 
therewith curse we men, which are made after 
the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth 
proceedeth blessing and cursing." As God gave 
you the organs of speech, so it becometh you to 
" speak of his righteousness and of his praise all 



EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. 99 

the day long." ^' Let your speech be always with 
grace, seasoned with salt." '' Be ye holy in all 
manner of conversation." Then will you rever- 
ence God with the powers of utterance which he 
has given you. 

3. God may be treated reverently or irrever- 
ently by actions. These represent ideas of the 
mind and feelings of the heart. They speak as 
plainly and loudly as do words. Whatever the 
profession, conduct may give the lie to it. Actions 
may clearly contradict the most positive assevera- 
tions, and prove them to be insincere. Let yours 
then, fully demonstrate the most devout reverence 
for God. 

IL You should ever manifest a regard for your- 
selves, — your existence, talents, and character. 

1. Your existence. You are bound to do 
nothing, which w^ill destroy life or abridge it ; but 
to do every thing, within the bounds of reason and 
propriety, which will save and protract it. The 
sixth commandment, *' Thou shalt not kill," and 
the law of self-preservation, taught by the light of 
nature, enjoin this duty. As a means of preserving 
life, health and happiness, " Be temperate in all 
things." Temperance is the using of that only 
which is good, in a moderate and healthful manner. 



100 EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. 

Food, raiment, and exercise, are good for the pre- 
servation and comfort of life, and therefore, may- 
be used in a moderate and healthful manner. Ar- 
dent spirits, opium, tobacco, arsenic, are poisonous, 
and as such are sometimes good as medicine, and 
may be used in a proper manner consistently with 
temperance ; but they should be totally abstained 
from otherwise than as medicine. The reason- 
ing which is sometimes adopted for the use of 
these poisons, besides as a remedy in disease, viz. 
a person by using them, through their stimulating 
effects can accomplish more, whatever his employ- 
ment, during life, even though it should hereby be 
abridged, therefore, he should use them, justifies 
suicide, and is wholly at war with the Bible. It 
maintains the sentiment. It is lawful to do evil that 
good may come — to sin that grace may abound ; — 
a sentiment denounced by the apostle, and long 
since rejected by the church of the living God. 

2. You should manifest a regard for your 
talents. By these I mean, whatever God has 
given you to occupy or use ; as faculties of body 
and mind, time, possessions, and influence. The 
noble powers, corporeal and mental, which man 
possesses, he is bound to improve, and not to 
do this is to sin against himself as well as against 
God. Time and worldly possessions are talents 



EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. IQl 

allotted to man, which he is to occupy as a 
steward of God. This is a fact, too, in regard to 
all the influence he possesses. Be entreated, then, 
to occupy with all fidelity the talents which Heaven 
has committed to you. This is your duty, privilege 
and interest. 

3. You should exhibit a regard for your char- 
acter as a scholar, a Christian, and a Christian 
preparing for the ministry. You are under great 
obligations to make all the literary acquisitions 
in your power. As it regards your moral and 
religious character, reputation is all-important. It 
is duty not only to be good, but to appear to be 
good. No person is under greater obligations to 
be circumspect in deportment than a minister, or 
one preparing for the ministry. See to it, then, 
that your character be not tarnished by any ob- 
liquity in matters of a moral and religious nature. 
'' Abstain from all appearance of evil." 

III. In your deportment you should have re- 
spect to mankind around you. 

1. They should be regarded as the creatures of 
God. He gave them existence, and formed them 
with rational and immortal natures. They are 
upheld by his power, supplied from his fullness, 
and purchased with the blood of his Son. If 



102 EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. 

God so regards mankind, surely they ought to be 
respected by each other. 

2. Mankind should be treated by you according 
to their condition and relation in life. They are 
all to be viewed as members of society. Some 
are to be considered as superiors, others as equals, 
and others as inferiors ; some as benefactors, others 
as the recipients of bounties ; some as Christians, 
others as impenitent sinners ; some as heirs of 
heaven, and others as heirs of hell. 

3. In all your conduct towards others, let sin- 
cerity, uprightness, kindness, affection and faithful- 
ness be manifest. Let this be true of you not only 
in heart, but also in appearance — in looks, words 
and actions. 

Such are the thoughts I would at this time 
present for your consideration. You will re- 
ceive them, I trust, as from one who has a 
deep interest in your temporal and spiritual 
welfare. May you, by divine grace be enabled 
to lead such a life as God will approve, angels 
will approve, Christians will approve; and the 
wicked world around you will "not be able to 
gainsay or resist." 



LETTER XL 



PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 



Dear Brethren, 

The topic selected on which to address you 
in the present letter, is one of no inconsiderable 
moment, as it respects your happiness and use- 
fulness in life, and one which is not regarded by 
young people as it should be, if indeed it is so 
regarded by those of advanced age. This topic is 
pecuniary expenses. In reference to these, permit 
me to exhort you to practise strict economy. But 
a question here arises, Wherein is economy to be 
practised ? 

1. In dress. Attire should be comfortable and 
decent. No language will more appropriately 
characterize what it should be, than this. It should 
be comfortable, having regard to climate and the 
season of the year. No person, in the exercise of 



104 PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 

judgment, would wear the same clothing in all 
respects, in the torrid, that he would in the frigid 
zone ; in summer that he would in winter. 
Reason dictates the suitableness of different ap- 
parel. Yet some are so regardless of propriety, 
or so improvident, that they seem to reverse this 
order of nature. Their clothing is altogether 
unsuitable and unbecoming, and discovers a great 
deficiency in judgment and taste. 

Attire, too, should be decent, neither so costly, 
mean, nor singular, as to attract attention. It 
should be such as to bring reproach upon neither 
one's self, Christ, nor his cause. This may be 
done by meanness, or by extravagance. Habili- 
ments may be so ordinary as to cast contempt 
upon him who is clad with them, and they may 
be so expensive as to produce the same unhappy 
effect. The coarsest and the finest cloth is less 
durable than that of a medium quality. The 
latter, therefore, should be preferred. While 
some persons are so fond of costly dress as to 
have their minds engrossed with it ; others are 
totally indifferent to the quality of their apparel, 
or pride themselves in their indecent garments. 
Every individual should aim to render himself 
acceptable in the kind and manner of his attire. 
In all respects, it should be decent j neither meanj 



PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 105 

finical, nor extravagant ; but plain and simple — 
devoid of all superfluous ornaments. The op- 
posite of this indicates levity of mind and effem- 
inacy in manners, Vv'hich reason, religion and 
public opinion, condemn. Dr. Franklin's remark 
is highly worthy of regard : 

" Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse ; 
Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse." 

2. Economy in expense for board. The mode 
of living ought to be temperate. Food should be 
plain and simple — served without the artificial 
stimulants of modern cookery. One dish at a 
meal is preferable to many. A person should 
never eat and drink to surfeit, but in moderation. 
He should always observe strict regimen in regard 
to the quantity and quality of food and the manner 
of partaking of it. High living is a precursor to 
indolence and disease ; but a temperate diet is 
promotive of health and activity. " Sound sleep," 
says the son of Sirach, in the Apocrypha, " cometh 
of moderate eating ; he riseth early, and his wits 
are with him ; but the pains of watching and choler 
are with an insatiable man." The famous Cornaro 
used to remark, "That of all parts of a feast, tiiat 
which one leaves does one the most good." Says a 
proverb, '' An expensive mouth makes a lean 



106 PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 

purse." Perhaps the most economical, and most 
judicious way of boarding, for you, is in commons. 

3. Economy in the purchase of books. Those 
classics which are needed in pursuing the regular 
studies should be possessed. If they cannot be 
procured from libraries, they should be purchased. 
To do without them is miserable economy. A 
few religious books, as the Bible, a hymn book, a 
vade-mecum on the doctrines, duties, and devotions 
of religion, should also be possessed. I doubt the 
expediency of buying a commentary on the Bible, 
previously to your entrance on a theological course 
of study, unless your pecuniary circumstances are 
affluent. It will be injudicious to purchase a 
library, while preparing for the ministry. Some 
students seem ambitious of having a large library, 
though they have not time to read it. In gratifying 
this desire, they involve themselves in debt, which, 
afterwards, they deeply lament. Never buy more 
books than you are able to pay for. 

4. Economy in the use of fuel and lights. 
Many students, it is confidently believed, consume 
more fuel than is necessary, and more than is 
beneficial for their health and happiness. An ex- 
cessive degree of heat debilitates and produces slug- 
gishness, while a cool state of the system operates 
as a tonic and invigorates. I have known young 



PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 107 

men in the coldest weather of winter, heat their 
rooms to such a degree, as to be obliged to study 
with their coats off. How injudicious this as it 
I'espects health and economy ! — In the use of 
lights it is different. There should always be 
a sufficiency to prevent injury to the eyes while 
studying. For this purpose, oil is preferable to 
candles, on account of its effects on the visual 
powers. Its light is clearer and more steady 
than that of candles. Never sleep with a light 
burning in your room through the night, as is the 
practice of some students. 

5. Economy in expense for furniture. It is 
not advisable to have much furniture for your 
rooms. You will then be freed from its incum- 
brance, and will not possess conveniences for the 
accommodation of idle scholars, who so often in- 
terrupt by their visits the more industrious and 
studious. Time, reputation, and money, will be 
saved. Public opinion highly disapproves of un- 
necessary expense of this nature, and to this you 
should ever pay a respectful regard. 

6. Economy in travelling expenses. In this 
item a large or small amount can easily be ex- 
pended. It is not to be supposed that while 
pursuing your studies you would journey for 
pleasure merely, as both time and money are in 



108 PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 

this way consumed, neither of which should be 
unavailingly spent. But if necessity requires, 
that you should travel, be frugal in your expen- 
ditures. The advantages resulting to students 
from journeying are small, compared with those 
derived by persons of mature a^e, or by preachers 
of the gospel. To travel on foot when convenient, 
is often found to be salutary, and it is honorable 
when practised from right motives. 

7. Economy in incidental expenses. There may 
be prodigality even in the use of paper, quills, etc. 
Some seem disposed to purchase every trifling 
thing that comes in their way. They cannot 
withstand temptations — but are unwarrantably free 
in the use of what is termed pocket money. They 
do this, not considering that while they thus 
squander property, they acquire bad habits and 
lose reputation. Both character and scholarship 
are thus endangered. 

Such are some of the particulars in which 
economy should be practised. But why f 

1. Economy should be practised, because in 
this way an unjustifiable expenditure of money 
will be prevented. '' Owe no man any thing," is 
an injunction of the apostle, demanding the most 
serious attention. Keep free from debt, if possibloi 



PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 109 

remembering, that students are very apt to be im- 
provident in regard to money matters. Embarrass- 
ment incurred by prodigality should be considered 
a moral, as well as a natural evil. Allow not 
yourselves to purchase on credit if you can avoid 
it, for by so doing you will pay a large per centage. 
Never purchase an article which you do not need, 
because it is cheap. Remember the saying of 
Franklin, '^ Buy what thou hast no need of, and 
ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries." While 
frugality is a virtue, parsimony is a vice. A penu- 
rious, mercenary spirit should in no case be indulged. 
2. Economy will prevent much infelicity. The 
mind of a person will be affected more or less by 
his pecuniary condition. This will depend in a 
great measure on his natural temperament. When 
embarrassed with debt and harassed by creditors, 
irrhation, perplexity and dejection, will be pro- 
duced. The declaration on the part of him who 
sells, " I am willing to wait till you can find it 
convenient to pay," has been of immense injury 
to multitudes of young men. They have learned 
that '-experience" in such instances ''keeps a dear 
school ; " that " credhors have better memories than 
debtors;" and that "those have a short Lent, who 
owe money to be paid at Easter." A heavy debt 
will be like a millstone about your necks. 



110 PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 

3. Economy will furnish the means of doing 
good. Money is power, and it will give ability to 
accomplish more for ZIon, than can be accom- 
plished without it. When a person thinks of 
making a purchase, he should inquire. Do I really 
need this } Can I do without it f A careful ex- 
penditure of money should ever characterize your 
conduct. 

Let me now call your attention to the measures 
which should be adopted, by which the habit of 
economy may be induced. 

1. One measure is the practice of keeping an 
account of expenses. Purchase a blank book 
and open a regular account with yourself — keep 
debt and credit; make an entry of all your receipts 
and expenditures, — be particular in details, and let 
no item escape your registry. It is a good saying, 
^'Take care of the pence, the pounds will take 
care of themselves." Set down the price of 
every article purchased, and the time when it 
was purchased, that all your expenses for the 
day, week, month, and year, may be open for 
inspection. When you make contracts, settle all 
particulars respecting them at the time. Never 
leave any thing to discretion, or to be fixed upon 
at some future day. By doing this you will 



PECUNIARY EXPENSES. HI 

prevent much difficulty. Take receipts for the 
money you expend and put them in file, that you 
may readily turn to them if necessity requires. 

2. Frequent examination of accounts. Often 
look over your pecuniary affairs that you may 
learn their state. Never consent to be trusted. 
By doing this you will avoid a temptation to 
purchase what is not really needed, and to give 
more for an article than its value. It is far easier 
to order a thing than to pay for it. If you pur- 
chase with ready money, you will not be tortured 
with bills of debt. And remember the words of 
Solomon, " He that is surety for a stranger shall 
smart for it ; and he that hateth suretiship is sure." 
Never therefore be surety for others. 

3. Reflection on the thought that money confers 
ability to do good. Property gives influence in 
society, and, on account of this, it is to be highly 
valued. Wants, therefore, should be moderated, 
indulgences abridged, and a wise economy studied. 
While you should never be sordid nor avaricious 
in your pecuniary concerns, you should never- 
theless adopt it as a rule to live within your means, 
and rigidly adhere to it. 

4. Contemplation on the consequences of pos- 
sessing or not possessing the habit of economy. 
These are immense. And they extend not only 



112 PECUNIARY EXPENSES. 

to ourselves, but also to others ; not only to the 
present life, but also to the future. 

Thus I have mentioned some particulars, in 
which economy should be practised, presented 
some reasons for its observance, and also pointed 
out some measures to be adopted for its pro- 
motion. This I have endeavored to do with 
plainness, candor, and kindness. My object has 
been to present these considerations before your 
minds, that you may profit by them in future 
life. The subject is of importance, and has 
a bearing not only on your happiness and use- 
fulness, but also on the interest of Zion, and of 
society at large. 



LETTER XII. 



TEACHING SCHOOL. 



Dear Brethren, 

The question, Ought I ever to instruct a 
school while pursuing a course of collegiate edu- 
cation ? is frequently agitated by students in appli- 
cation to themselves. And to settle it right is 
a matter of no ordinary moment. It should be 
disposed of in such a manner as to affect favorably 
the individuals immediately concerned, the insti- 
tutions at which they are, and the community at 
large. No one has a right to benefit himself at 
the expense of the public. No one may lawfully 
use his own liberty to the injury of others. On 
no subject have I been more often interrogated, 
than on that of collegians keeping school ; and it 
is one of deep interest both to them and to the 
institutions of learning in our country. 
8 



114 TEACHING SCHOOL. 

Without pretending to do justice to the subject, 
what I propose in this letter, is simply to lay before 
you some of the reasons for and against teaching 
school, while you are pursuing a course of colle- 
giate studies. Some of the reasons in favor of it 
are the following : 

1. It w^ill serve to perfect your own knowledge 
of the elementary branches of an education, or of 
the studies you teach, such as orthography, read- 
ing, chirography, arithmetic, grammar, geography, 
rhetoric, astronomy, etc. An individual cannot 
instruct in these branches without becoming more 
extended and accurate in his knowledge of them. 
While teaching theoretically, he will be taught 
himself, theoretically and practically. 

"Thought, too, delivered, is the more possessed; 
Teaching, we learn, — and giving, we receive." 

This is one of the results which naturally follow 
instructing. The mere act of a young man in 
preparing his school for examination at its close, 
and also in preparing himself to conduct the 
examination, will benefit him — will serve to give 
him an accuracy, readiness and confidence in the 
studies pursued, which is very desirable to be 
possessed. 

2. Teaching school will lead to an acquaintance 
with human nature — with men and manners. In 



TEACHING SCHOOL. 115 

children we see mankind in miniature. We see 
the operations of different minds under different 
circumstances — different constitutions, education, 
and prejudices. These developments, if atten- 
tively observed, will be of great service, by giving 
you a knowledge of children, who are always an 
important part of a minister's charge. 

3. Teaching school will prepare one to com- 
municate ideas to others. By teaching his pupils,, 
an instructor acquires a habit of imparting knowl- 
edge. He learns to present, with propriety and 
facility, his own thoughts to others. This aptitude 
in conveying information is very necessary in a 
minister of the gospel, who is to be a public 
teacher. 

4. Teaching school will conduce to the attain- 
ment of self-possession. An instructor cannot 
address from day to day an auditory Hke a school, 
without imperceptibly acquiring, to a considerable 
extent, a command over his own mind and heart 
in their operations. By engaging in this employ- 
ment, you will obtain that confidence in yourselves 
which it is very desirable you should possess, when 
you are called to perform the functions of the 
sacred office. It will be an advantage, not only 
as it respects conversation and addresses, but also 
in relation to prayer. In this last service, you will 



116 TEACHING SCHOOL. 

be particularly benefited by the practice of lead- 
ing in the devotions of the school, morning and 
evening. 

5. Keeping school promotes sociability. Per- 
sons who have been engaged in teaching for any 
considerable time, usually become very conver- 
sable, however taciturn they naturally may have 
been. They not only engage readily with others 
w4io lead in conversation, but they suggest topics 
and originate subjects of discussion, and take a 
prominent part in discussing them. In this man- 
ner, your mind and habits will be affected by the 
practice of teaching school. 

6. Teaching school relieves the tedium of study. 
After young men have been attending to the clas- 
sics for a number of months, to instruct for a 
season affords a sort of interlude. This change 
of employment is a respite in some degree both 
to mind and body. There is a variety in the 
business of teaching, and the labors differ from 
those of studying. 

7. School-keeping tends to promote a dispo- 
sition of obedience to instructors. Having seen 
the importance of government in a school, and 
knowing how obedient students are regarded by 
himself, a judicious instructor is at once, and from 
a consciousness that it is right, naturally led to 



TEACHING SCHOOL. 117 

exercise due subjection. He learns, in a most 
emphatic manner, the truth of the poet's remark, 

" Order is Heaven's first law ; and this confessed, 
Some are and must be greater than the rest." 

Such a teacher, then, will learn to be governed, as 
well as to govern, and will be led voluntarily to 
submit to wholesome regulations. 

8. Teaching furnishes an opportunity for bene- 
fiting the rising generation. The knowledge of 
those members of college who instruct schools, 
being more extended than that of those teachers 
who have not pursued the usual collegiate studies, 
they will, from principle as well as from natural 
impulse, endeavor to elevate the standard of edu- 
cation among the young, and thus aid in promoting 
their welfare. By their moral and religious in- 
structions, and their holy example, they may exert 
a happy and powerful influence over the minds of 
the youth committed to their charge. Children 
look up to their instructors, and receive from them 
impressions durable as time, yea, as eternity. 
How salutary, then, the influence of pious teach- 
ers ; and what a loss the youthful portion of the 
community w^ould sustain, were they to be deprived 
of this influence. 

9. School-keeping is advantageous, also, by 
furnishing much pecuniary aid, and thus increasing 



118 TEACHING SCHOOL. 

the number of those who obtain an education. 
The emolument received for such service is of 
important value to any young man, especially so 
if he is indigent. Money procured in this way, 
too, is worth more to him than that which is re- 
ceived by inheritance or by gratuity. By such 
assistance, multitudes are enabled to obtain an 
education, who otherwise could not. One half 
of those educated in this country are dependent 
on this source for the aid which they absolutely 
need, and without which they would despair of an 
education. 

The following are some of the reasons against 
students' keeping school while obtaining a collegi- 
ate education : — 

1. The absence which school-keeping requires, 
deranges the course of study in the colleges. This 
remark is true of the regulations of these institu- 
tions generally as they now exist. Where the 
practice of teaching prevails to any considerable 
extent, the faculty are compelled to change the 
order of studies. Those of the least importance 
are attended to during the time in which those 
students who instruct are absent from college. 

2. Teaching school necessarily abridges the 
scholarship of those students who engage in it. 



TEACHING SCHOOL. 119 

In consequence of their employing a portion of 
term time in instructing, they have less to devote 
to study ; and by reason of their consequent de- 
ficiency of knowledge in the classics, they must 
pursue their studies with embarrassment. Besides, 
that part of the year which is occupied in teaching, 
is far the best for close application to study. The 
knowledge, therefore, of those who instruct, will 
be abridged. 

3. Teaching school also is apt to affect unfa- 
vorably, while at college, the body, mind, and 
piety, of those students who engage in it. The 
absence which school-keeping requires, and the 
consequent suspension for a time of classical 
pursuits, cause their studies, while at college, to 
press upon them to such a degree that attention 
to their religious duties is liable to be neglected. 
They are, too, in a greater or less degree, under 
constant excitement of mind, accompanied with 
anxiety in reference to their scholarship. This, 
in connection with the severe application to study, 
required to maintain a respectable standing with 
their class, often proves detrimental to health. 
Besides, if a student who is in the habit of teach- 
ing a part of the year, attempt to study during this 
time, as he will be induced to do, there will be 
such exhaustion of vital power as to prevent his 



120 TEACHING SCHOOL. 

accomplishing so much, when devoting his whole 
time to study, as he otherwise could. 

Such are some of the arguments for and against 
teaching school while in college. In view of them, 
it may be asked. What course is it advisable to 
adopt? Where it is practicable, it is probably 
best for a student to continue his studies without 
cessation during term time, and to keep school 
before entering college and after graduating. It 
is no disadvantage to an individual to instruct a 
year after closing his collegiate course, and before 
commencing his theological studies. When ne- 
cessity requires a young man to keep school while 
in college, it is very important that he should enter 
well prepared, and then use such exertion as pru- 
dence shall dictate to keep up with his class, though 
he may be absent a few weeks each year in term 
time. He should, if possible, pursue his studies 
regularly until his academical course is finished. 
It is disadvantageous, as a general thing, for a 
student while in college, to spend one year in 
teaching, and then take a class below the one 
which he entered. By thus degrading himself, 
he w^ill not enjoy fully the fellowship and sympathy 
of the class he leaves or enters; and frequently 
wrong constructions will be placed on the motives 
of his conduct. There is usually an infelicity at- 
tending this course of procedure. 



TEACHING SCHOOL. 121 

Though school-keeping is frequently injurious 
to body and mind, yet it need not be so if pru- 
dently pursued. One who instructs should not 
study to such a degree, as to keep up in all re- 
spects with his class. The benefits resulting from 
teaching, such as discipline of mind and knowledge 
of men, manners and things, may be considered as 
an equivalent for the greater literary attainments 
of his class-mates. There will be no detriment to 
health, if his conduct in this respect is judicious. 
Rest and quiet in some degree will be afforded to 
the mind, and much confinement of body will be 
prevented. The exercise of speaking in school 
will expand the lungs and impart to them tone and 
energy. Instructors should not devote all their 
time while out of school to study. They need 
seasons of relaxation to refresh and invigorate the 
mind and body. They should occasionally visit 
the parents of their pupils, and endeavor to gain 
their affections, and be useful to them. In this 
way, health of body and soul will be promoted, 
and an opportunity afforded for an introduction to 
those classes of the community, with which minis- 
ters are usually called to associate. 

In some colleges, arrangements are made with 
special reference to the accommodation of those 
students who wish to en2:a2:e in instructins:. The 



122 TEACHING SCHOOL. 

winter vacation is long and the others short, so 
that the whole annount of term time is nearly the 
same as at other institutions. During the absence 
of those who engage in teaching longer than the 
vacation, those who are at college attend to studies, 
a knowledge of which is not required of the whole 
class, and, consequently, is not indispensable to 
obtaining a degree. In such cases, the rank of the 
students in scholarship is estimated by their attain- 
ments in the classics required. 

It would seem to be advantageous were the 
students at the western colleges to adopt more 
fully the practice so generally pursued by those in 
the eastern and older colleges, that of spending a 
portion of their time in teaching school. By doing 
this a large number of teachers for children and 
youth now needed would be furnished, great 
salutary influence would be diffused through the 
community, much pecuniary means would be fur- 
nished to assist the students in obtaining an edu- 
cation, extended knowledge of human nature, so 
important in ministers at the west, would be ob- 
tained, and the colleges not be obliged to make so 
heavy drafts on the Christian community for their 
support, as the students would then be able to pay 
for their tuition. 

These hasty remarks, on a subject which has so 



TEACHING SCHOOL. 123 

important a bearing on the interests of those young 
men who seek an education, on the colleges of the 
land and the community at large, you will, I trust, 
receive, dear brethren, with kindness and candor. 
They are made with the most sincere desire of 
benefiting all concerned. So far as you are called, 
in the providence of God, to participate in the 

"Delightful task! to rear the tender thought, 
To teach the young idea how to shoot !" 

may you be happily instrumental in promoting the 
benefit of the rising generation. 



LETTER XIII. 



TRAVELLING. 



Dear Brethren, 

My present communication will be on the 
subject of travelling while in your course of pre- 
paration for the ministry. The reason for my 
addressing you on this subject is, that many stu- 
dents spend a part of their vacations in this way, 
and, it is apprehended, not to the best advantage. 
There are indeed no objections to a person's trav- 
elling, if circumstances require it, or his pecuniary 
ability will permit, provided it be not attended 
with injury to body or mind. In some instances, 
it may be of essential service, as it regards both of 
these ; but it is often injurious. As a general 
thing, those clergymen who do not travel succeed 
better in the ministry and sustain a better char- 



TRAVELLING. 125 

acter, than those who are in the habit of travel- 
ling. They are more industrious and economical, 
and more contented with their condition, and more 
disposed to be laborious and self-denying min- 
isters. This appears to be the case so far as my 
knowledge extends. 

But, on the supposition that travelling is ever 
advantageous to a clergyman, the time for it is 
not while in his course of preparatory study. The 
reasons for this decision are the following. 

J. It is more expensive for a student than for a 
minister, to travel. This, at first thought, may 
seem to be incorrect ; but it is not so. In order 
to appear respectable, the student will be obliged 
to clothe himself at nearly as much expense as the 
individual who has finished his education. Every 
person must appear decently according to the 
character, in which he presents himself before the 
comnranity. A traveller for information, or for 
the purposes of refinement and taste, must be clad 
with decent apparel. So, in passing from place 
to place, the mode of conveyance wall be nearly 
as costly, unless he travel on foot, and this will not 
comport with the character of one who is journey- 
ing for pleasure, or for acquiring a knowledge of 
the country, and of men and manners. His style 
of living too, (for he must have a subsistence by 



126 TRAVELLING. 

the way,) must correspond with that of a gentleman. 
The same may be said in relation to his incidental 
expenses. And if indigent, the money he thus 
expends, must be hired, and when obtained, it will 
be accumulating by the interest that will accrue. 

But the candidate for the ministry while travel- 
hng will find, that his expenses will be either less, 
or more easily defrayed, than those of an under- 
graduate, for two reasons : First, he will be invited 
to spend a considerable portion of his time in the 
families of clergymen and the more respectable 
part of the community. While thus situated, he 
will be at no expense. And secondly, he will be 
requested to preach occasionally for compensation. 
This will in some measure furnish the means of 
defraying his expenses. The increased expense 
of travelling, while in a course of study, should be 
an inducement to refrain from it. 

2. A student cannot travel with that honor to 
himself, with which a candidate for the ministry 
will. He will be regarded as a youth whose 
education is unfinished, and not as a literary man 
or a clergyman ; and consequently he will not be 
held in the reputation, that he otherwise would be^ 
nor will he be admitted to the higher circles of 
society. It is different with a candidate for the 
ministry. He is viewed as having finished his 



TRAVELLING. 137 

education — as having entered upon that profession 
which clothes him with sanctity and obtains for 
him admission to the best circles of society. In 
the public estimation, his character is unimpeached 
and unimpeachable. His travelling, too, is alto- 
gether consistent with the dignity of the ministerial 
office. It is not so with a student, especially if 
his circumstances are indigent. By all people he 
is viewed as a person whose duty it is to be rather 
retired, and confined to his studies or some lawful 
and profitable employment. 

3. Travelling is injurious to the student, as it 
dissipates his mind, and often deranges his cor- 
poreal system, and thus unfits him for his accus- 
tomed employment. 

No person can journey, and mingle with the 
scenes of life consequent upon it, without be- 
coming more or less dissipated in mind, and thus 
disqualified for close application to study. The 
traveller can attest to this truth. Frequent jour- 
neying is incompatible with great progress in study. 
And while travelling produces dissipation of mind, 
it often deranges the bodily powers, as this kind 
of exercise and mode of living are not always 
congenial with the physical condition of students. 
Laborious exercise in the open air, which shall 
affect all parts of the system, is best adapted to 



128 TRAVELLING. 

health. This invigorates — gives tone and energy 
to the whole body, and thus, by sympathy, favora- 
bly affects the mind. 

4. Travelling is an interruption to study. 

So far as it occupies time which would other- 
wise be devoted to study, it interferes with such a 
pursuit, and retards the advancement which other- 
wise would be made. It does more than this ; it 
breaks the chain of classical studies, diverts the 
mind from it more than any other occupation, and 
thus prevents that continuous mental application, 
which is necessary to the increase of literary and 
theological knowledge. 

5. A person while in a course of education, 
cannot derive from travelling so great mental im- 
provement and personal accomplishments, as when 
he shall have finished his studies. 

The more knowledge of science and literature, 
of men and things, a person possesses, the greater 
advantage will he derive from travelling. This 
is true in all cases. It is, then, far better for a 
person to travel when he shall have finished his 
classical education, than while obtaining it. 

As you w^ill at times necessarily have occasion 
to journey, I shall close this letter with a few 
suggestions in reference to the manner of travel- 



TRAVELLING. 129 

ling. The kind of travelling here intended is 
different from that which has been considered. 
The former is for the extension of knowledge, 
for relaxation, or for the gratification of curiosity. 
The latter is from necessity, though so far as it 
may be improved for the promotion of health and 
information, it ought to be thus improved. 

1. The mode of conveyance. 

Sometimes it m.ay be well to travel on foot, 
when the distance and time of absence is to be 
short, and health requires it. If the distance is 
great, and you journey for health, ride on horseback. 
The cheapest, easiest, and most expeditious method 
of travelling, is by public conveyance, as stage, rail- 
road car, or steam-boat. It is also probably the 
safest mode of journeying, if we take into con- 
sideration the number who travel and the distance 
travelled. The modern improvements in these 
respects are a cause of gratitude. 

When you journey in public conveyances, see 
that your name is duly and seasonably entered on 
the w^ay-bill and your fare paid, provided it be 
taken at that time. If you are to travel a great 
distance, sometimes a ticket may be obtained for 
the whole route at a more reasonable rate than to 
pay at different stages. If you go on board a 
boat, early seek for a berth, that you may obtain 
9 



130 TRAVELLING. 

a better one than you would by delaying to do it. 
Have an eye upon your baggage, that it be neither 
left nor misplaced, and do not contend with por- 
ters about prices ; it is better to suffer evil than to 
stand for rights with such men. It is better that 
laymen should do this kind of business, than for 
you who are soon to enter the ministerial office. 
When you travel in the stage-coach, be not too 
solicitous to occupy the best seats, especially if 
there are ladies, or gentlemen of distinction pres- 
ent, as politeness allows them the first claim to 
accommodation. Never contend for a seat, or 
interfere with the acknowledged rights of others. 
Treat with kindness the aged and the infirm, and 
be respectful to all. 

2. Be particular in your selection of a tavern 
at which to stop. 

Always seek one of good reputation ; if in a 
city, not the cheapest nor the most extravagant 
in price. A temperance house should have the 
preference, cceteris paribus. When you are trav- 
elling from day to day, and must pass on in the first 
conveyance, stop at the house from which the stage 
is to start. Pay for your lodging and meals as soon 
as you are ready to depart, and not leave your bill 
unsettled till the last moment, lest you should 
forget it, or lest it seem to the landlord as though 



TRAVELLING. 131 

you would leave without paying, and thus you 
injure your character. 

3. Conduct towards innkeepers, stage-drivers, 
and toll-gatherers, with kindness and in perfect 
integrity. 

If you do this, they will ordinarily treat you 
well; at least I have found this to be a fact in 
regard to myself, in travelling between forty and 
fifty thousand miles. You cannot compel them to 
be more obliging than they choose to be — espe- 
cially a stage-driver or a toll-gatherer. They feel 
that they have authority, and to a certain extent 
they have ; yet, if treated properly, they will gen- 
erally be civil, and often very attentive. They 
should never be treated ill because the toll or fare 
is high, for it is not they but their employers who 
fix the rate of these. 

4. Be circumspect in conversation and manners. 
It is not uncommon for persons who travel 

to hear individuals relate various things apper- 
taining to themselves and their connections and 
friends — their names, origin, place of residence, 
employments, politics, religion, the place to which 
they are going, and the object they have in view. 
Such a conversation, while it is sometimes inter- 
estingly curious, is, at others, disgusting, as being 
egotistical, and as revealing what should not be 



132 TRAVELLING. 

disclosed. Familiarity with strangers is unbe- 
coming. Speak but little of those who may be 
considered absent, for they or their friends may 
possibly be present, and thus evil may ensue. 
Some travellers are much disposed to deliver a 
sort of lecture on politics, morals, or religion, 
while in the company of others ; but such conduct 
is seldom well received or profitable. Let it be 
with you a settled principle never to dispute while 
travelling, nor to engage fiercely in controversial 
subjects, nor to be forward in conversation. A 
suitable reserve is becoming. Never attack 
drunkards or the immoral in the presence of 
others ; they will insult you. You cannot injure 
them; but they may injure you. Still, "a word 
spoken in due season, how good is it ! " It is not 
always wise to distribute tracts indiscriminately, 
and wherever you go, though great good may 
arise from a judicious distribution of them. A 
person may do good in traveUing by manifesting 
great sobriety, kindness, and courtesy — an affec- 
tionate, gentlemanly deportment, and discreet con- 
versation on religious and other topics. 

5. Be regardful of your external appearance. 

Your person should be kept as cleanly as cir- 
cumstances will permit, and your attire decent. 
Some travellers are altogether regardless of these 



TRAVELLING. 133 

things, and hereby manifest disrespect for their 
companions, and bring discredit on themselves. 

6. Endeavor to profit by travelling. 

This should ever be one special object in view. 
You may profit by improving your manners and 
habits, and by acquiring knowledge of places and 
things. This you will do by proper inquiries, and 
accurate, attentive observation ; and in all your 
intercourse with people while travelling, never 
contract or indulge a complaining habit. The late 
Rev. Dr. Porter of Andover has happily charac- 
terized many travellers. He says of them, they 
'' are querulous in all circumstances. The driver 
is blamed for the dust he makes. His pace is too 
slow or too rapid. The breakfiast is too late or 
too early. The beef is too much or too little 
roasted. The road is too level or too hilly. The 
habits of a people are all wrong if they differ, 
however much for the better, from those to which 
the individuals have been accustomed ; and a city 
is an ugly place, if its appearance is in any sort, 
otherwise than they expected." Persons of this 
description travel with little benefit to themselves 
or others. 

Such are my views in reference to the time and 
mode of travelling. They have been expressed* 



134 TRAVELLING. 

with the kindest feelings and a desire to promote 
your well-beings and it is confidently believed, that 
they will be received by you in the same spirit. 
The importance of the subject has been impressed 
on my mind by learning that a large portion of 
the incidental expenses of students arises from the 
journeys they take. A part of this is necessary. 
It is right and expedient that they should occa- 
sionally visit their parents, guardians, and friends. 
But, as a general thing, more than this is not 
advisable. It would not be so, were they ever so 
wealthy ; certainly, then, it is not so, if they are in 
indigent circumstances. May the Lord guide you 
in this matter according to his holy will. 



LETTER XIV. 

TRAITS OF CHARACTER, MENTAL AND MORAL. 

Dear Brethren, 

In this letter I shall consider some of the 
most distinguishing traits of character, mental and 
moral, which it is desirable, that you should possess 
and cultivate. My object will be to delineate, not 
all the characteristics which are important, but the 
most prominent, that your attention may be suita- 
bly directed to their acquisition in the highest 
degree to which you can attain. As habit exerts 
a mighty ascendancy over us, and is, therefore, 
often denominated *' second nature ;" so it is very 
desirable, that those mental and moral qualities 
which conduce to your happiness and usefulness, 
should early be possessed, that they may become 
settled and extended. Of these, I would name, 

1. Decision. 

This is coming to a firm conclusion in reference 



136 TRAITS OF CHARACTER, 

to any matter and remaining in it. Commendable 
decision implies two things, knowledge of what is 
truth and duty, and a fixed determination to con- 
form to them in practice, without compromise. 
A person who has not a full view of that about 
which he is to form an opinion, or to act, will ever 
be undecided, because, as his knowledge changes, 
so will his opinions and conduct change. He w-ill 
be tossed to and fro, and be ^' carried about by 
every wind of doctrine." He will have no settled 
opinion, but he will be in constant fluctuation. 
The same may be said of the individual who has 
no fixed determination. Such an one will be 
wavering and indecisive. — In the natural structure 
of their minds, some persons are decided and in- 
flexible ; others are the reverse. Decision, when 
considered in relation to any proposition to be 
maintained, any duty to be performed or practice 
to be observed, is of greater or less consequence, 
according to the nature and importance of the 
subject to which it relates. In regard to matters 
of religious faith and practice, it is of the highest 
moment that our decision be right, or the very 
fact that we are decided, may prove injurious 
either to ourselves or others. In forming your 
decisions, then, be not hasty, but deliberate and 
judicious, especially oo subjects of a religious 



MENTAL AND MORAL. 137 

nature. You will always exercise the most stable 
confidence in God, for '' they that trust in the 
Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be 
removed, but abideth forever." 

2. Resolution. 

This trait of character means fixedness and 
fearlessness, in purpose and action — a zealous 
determination to perform some act or to accom- 
plish some object. It is the opposite of that feel- 
ing and conduct described by Dr. Young, when 
he speaks of man, who, prone to procrastinate 
his reformation, 

'• Resolves and re-resolves, then dies the same." 

A man strongly marked with this trait of char- 
acter, will overcome difiiculties seemingly insur- 
mountable. Before him the Alps and Pyrennees 
become plains, oceans seas, and seas fordable 
pools. It may be adopted as a maxim, true in 
the general, — a person may be what he resolves 
to be, or do what he resolves to do, provided he 
attempts to accomplish his resolution with reso- 
lution. This quality of mind ever has been and 
still is, essential to success in any difficult under- 
taking. Without it, those objects of interest and 
magnitude in the arts and sciences, which delight 
and astonish the world, would not have existed. 



138 TRAITS OF CHARACTER, 

The various volumes of instruction which contain 
the labors of the learned, the wise and the good, 
would not have been produced for the benefit of 
mankind. Without this, too, the various efforts 
which have been made, and which are still making, 
to promote the temporal and eternal welfare of the 
human family, will not be carried forw^ard to com- 
plete success. Endeavor, then, to possess this 
valuable qualification, and suffer not feeble and 
irresolute exertions to prevent the performance of 
any duty. 

3. Courage. 

A proper definition of courage, is bravery, in- 
trepidity. It is the opposite of pusillanimity or 
timidity. A man of this spirit never says, "There 
is a lion without — I shall be slain in the streets." 
Possessed of religious heroism, he is ready to 
strive with the world, the flesh and the devil. 
He who would conquer, must manfully contend ; 
and he is the greatest hero who conquers himself. 
This trait of character, both in a natural and moral 
sense, should be diligently sought and cultivated. 
It is in no way so well obtained as by the pro- 
motion of piety in ourselves. '^ The wicked flee 
when no man pursueth, but the righteous are 
bold as a lion." Courage, though not so fre- 
quently called into requisition as some other quali- 



MENTAL AND MORAL. 139 

ties of the mindj is nevertheless of essential service. 
Occasions may occur when a destitution of this 
will be attended with serious disadvantages, espe- 
cially so, when in relation to things of a religious 
nature, the want of it would prevent one from 
advancing in the path of duty. He who suffers a 
fearful or timid spirit to deter him in the work of 
the Lord, will be instrumental of greatly injuring 
his cause, and of giving an opportunity to the 
enemy of souls to triumph. Such an one is un- 
worthy to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ. 

4. Independence. 

This means exemption from reliance on any 
one, or control by any one. When properly cher- 
ished and exercised it partakes of magnanimity in 
thought, feeling, and action. A pride of singularity 
in this, or an ostentatious display of it, is not com- 
mendable. Would you possess true independence 
of character, think and act for yourselves — never 
reject or adopt opinions or practices merely be- 
cause others have rejected or adopted them. It 
has been said, '* No man was ever great by imita- 
tion." Therefore, take no opinion, pursue no 
course of conduct, on trust ; be biased neither by' 
passion nor prejudice in faith or practice, but be- 
lieve and act on substantial evidence and sound 
principles, and in such a course be inflexible. 



140 TRAITS OF CHARACTER, 

Ever be willing, however, to hear suggestions fronn 
those who are entitled to deference and esteena, 
and who do not coincide with you in views and 
feelings. But never sacrifice your own opinions 
and practices in accommodation to theirs, without 
full conviction that they are right. 

5. Perseverance. 

By this is meant continued steadfastness or per- 
sistence in purpose and pursuit. It is the opposite 
of fickleness or inconstancy in endeavor, and yet 
it is not bigotry nor obstinacy. A person possessed 
of thJ5 trait of character, is generally successful in 
what he attempts. True is the motto, ferse- 
veranda vinces. Without perseverance, the most 
desirable object to be obtained may fail, even after 
much exertion has been used to effect it. They 
who would win the prize must run, and never 
cease running till the race is over. In every pur- 
suit, then, to which duty calls, notwithstanding the 
obstacles which may arise to hinder your progress, 
persevere even to its full accomplishment. You 
are now not aware what you w^ill be able to per- 
form. Try — remembering that whatever has been 
done, may be done again ; — keep on trying, and 
success is almost certain. 

6. Judgment. 

As judgment is that act of the mind by which 



MENTAL AND MORAL. 141 

we form opinions in regard to right and wrong, 
truth and falsehood, persons and thingSj — whatever 
nnay aid in rendering its decisions correct should 
be diligently attended to. This is a quality of 
mind which, like others, may be improved by 
cultivation. A person whose judgment is inclined 
to err, though his motives be good, is constantly in 
danger of coming to wrong conclusions, by which 
evils may ensue. While one whose judgment is 
correct, readily and clearly perceives what is right, 
and is prepared without delay to follow its dictates. 
Cultivate, to the highest possible degree, .your 
faculty of judging.; respecting persons, things, and 
actions. Though it is not the privilege of every 
one to possess this ^rait of character in equal per- 
fection ; yet, by, careful and diligent attention, it 
may be greatly improved. 

7. C0M3ION-SENSE. 

A good definition of this is given by Mr. Hall, 
author of the " Lectures on School-keeping." He 
says, ''I mean by the term, the faculty by which 
things are seen as they are. It implies judgment 
and discrimination, and a proper sense of propriety 
in regard to the common affairs of life. It leads 
us to form judicious plans of action ; and to be 
governed by our circumstances, in such a way as 
men in general will approve. It is the exercise 



142 TRAITS OF CHARACTER, 

of reason, uninfluenced by passion or prejudice." 
This trait of character is the opposite of one which 
appeared in a Methodist minister, according to an 
account I heard given of him at an Annual Con- 
ference of that denomination, when, in conformity 
with their standing rule, the ministers are appointed 
for the year. It was said of him, that he did not 
properly time things ; that he frequently chose 
wrong texts for discussion, and then wrongly illus- 
trated them ; that he never hit the nail on the 
head ; that he preached at rather than to the 
people, and prayed at rather than for the people. 
Because he was thus destitute of common-sense, 
the Conference, which seemed to possess much of 
this excellent quality, withheld the renewal of his 
appointment. In this characteristic of the human 
mind, there is a combination of the following attri- 
butes — perception, judgment, and executive power, 
accompanied with a benevolent disposition. This 
desirable trait of character was possessed in a high 
degree of perfection by the late Rev. Dr. Samuel 
Worcester, Jeremiah Evarts^ Esq., and the Rev. 
Dr. Ebenezer Porter. 

8. Self-control. 

Self-control is another characteristic, the pos- 
session or destitution of which affects not only the 
happiness and usefulness of the individual who is 



MENTAL AND MORAL. 143 

the subject of it, but is often connected with the 
welfare and happiness of others. One who, with- 
out consideration, speaks or acts from the impulse 
of feeling, has often, in the hour of reflection, 
occasion to regret an unguarded word or action ; 
while one who is accustomed to self-control, will 
easily check the first risings of an inconsiderate 
and insubordinate spirit. The proper government 
of one's self, in regard to passions and conduct, is, 
therefore, very desirable, though contrary to our 
natural inclinations and difficult to acquire. It 
should ever be aimed at as a Christian duty, and 
as highly beneficial in its results, as it respects its 
subjects and others. " He that is slow to anger, 
is better than the mighty ; and he that ruleth his 
spirit, than he that laketh a city." 

Having, dear brethren, presented the topics 
contained in this letter for your perusal, you will, 
I trust, eive them that attention which their nature 
and importance require. To the perfection of 
character, these traits are essential ; though it is 
not to be expected that, in this imperfect state, 
there will be a complete attainment of them. 
Nothing short of this, however, should satisfy one. 
An approximation to it is, by the Christian com- 
munity, imperatively demanded of all in your 



144 TRAITS OF CHARACTER. 

situation. Endeavor, then, to possess these char- 
acteristics, that you may be more richly furnished 
and adorned for the work of the holy ministry, 
which you have in contemplation. May a desire 
for the glory of God, the advancement of the 
Redeemer's kingdom and the promotion of holi- 
ness and happiness, stimulate you to increasing 
exertions in obtaining these qualifications, which 
will prepare you for active engagedness and ex- 
tensive usefulness in the cause of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ. 



LETTER XV. 



MORAL PRACTICES. 



Dear Brethren, 

Practice is carrying out into action principles 
which have been adopted. As a general fact, no 
man is better than he professes to be, and but few 
men so good as their avowed principles, if prac- 
ticed, would lead them to be. Faith has great 
effect on conduct. It is the mainspring of action. 
Practices are characterized by the motives accom- 
panying them. In a moral view, they are good or 
bad, as the motives attending them are good or 
bad. The act itself, and the form and manner 
of the act, may be right ; but taken in connection 
with the motive and feelings accompanying it, may 
be wrong — may be sinful. Not entering into a 
particular discussion of this point, I invite your 
attention to a few thoughts which may be pre- 
10 



146 MORAL PRACTICES. 

sented in reference to some practices of a moral 
nature. 

1. Temperance. 

This practice is viewed by the apostle Peter as 
a cardinal virtue, and Paul remarks, " Every man 
that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all 
things." I shall here touch only upon two par- 
ticulars, eating and drinking. In these, no rule 
can be given which will accurately apply in all 
things to every individual. Says Gregory, one 
of the Christian fathers, " it is not the quantity or 
quality of the meat or drink, but the love of it that 
is condemned," — the inordinate attachment to it. 
Water is the natural and best beverage for man. 
This is the opinion of the most respectable physi- 
cians, and of the most considerate part of the 
community. But even of water, so much may 
be used as to be detrimental. An unnecessary 
quantity has a tendency to weaken the system 
generally, and to debilitate in a very particular 
manner the digestive organs. Almost all other 
liquids used as a beverage are injurious, in a 
greater or less degree, and therefore should not 
be taken into the stomach as a drink. As for 
the use of distilled spirits, it would seem, that 
there could be but one opinion, since the sub- 
ject has been so largely discussed, and so much 



MORAL PRACTICES. 147 

light is thrown upon it in the present day. No 
new arguments indeed can be presented, nor 
need there be, to induce you to advocate the 
cause of temperance. Reason and revelation, 
the motives of three worlds, proclaim, as with 
the voice of seven thunders, in the monitory 
language, ''Touch not; taste not ; handle not;" 
— total abstinence forever. " Temperate drink- 
ing is the down-hill road to intemperance,'' and 
*' Entire abstinence from ardent spirits is the only 
certain preventive of intemperance." These 
mottoes should be inscribed upon the door-posts 
of every house, that the destroying angel may 
pass by. Like the phylacteries of the Jews, 
they should be fastened upon the forehead of 
every man, upon his wrists, and upon the hem 
of his garments, that they may be as amulets 
or preservatives to himself and others. Those 
who minister at the altar of God, who are set 
as watchmen upon the walls of Zion, should cry 
aloud and spare not, lift up their voice like a 
trumpet in solemn admonition, and, by precept 
and example, do all in their power to promote 
the cause of temperance. In other days, (awful 
to relate!) some who once presented the oblations 
of Christian assemblies before the throne of the 
great Eternal, being seduced by the importunities 



148 MORAL PRACTICES. 

of complaisance, and incautiously and frequently 
quaffing the deadly poison, became confirmed in 
habits which lead down to the gates of death. But 
these times have passed away. A minister cannot 
now be silent on this subject with impunity. If 
he stands aloof, or withholds his influence in any 
way from this cause, blood will be found in the 
skirts of his garments ; for alcoholic liquors, as a 
beverage, are poison to the body and poison to the 
soul. 'But we are persuaded better things of you, 
though we thus speak.' Your whole influence 
will be found on the side of total abstinence and 
entire temperance. 

The injunction, " Do thyself no harm," may be 
applied to the unlawful indulgence of appetite in 
eating. " Temperance," says Sir William Tem- 
ple, '' consists in a regular simple diet, limited by 
every man's experience of his own easy diges- 
tion." General rules, in respect to regimen, may 
be advantageously prescribed, but there will be 
many exceptions, owing to constitution, health, 
employment, and other circumstances. Food 
should be simple, nutritious, plainly prepared, and 
received regularly in moderate quantities. Three 
meals in a day and one dish at a meal, are con- 
sidered the most favorable to health. Abstemi- 
ousness greatly prevailed among the Grecians* 



MORAL PRACTICES. 149 

Though they ate at different times, yet they in- 
dulged themselves with but one full meal in a day. 
Hence, Plato reports as a matter of astonishment, 
upon his return to his native country, after visiting 
Sicily, " J^idi monsirum in JYatura hominem bis 
saturaium in die.^'^ Most of the ancient philoso- 
phers were patterns of temperance, and lived prin- 
cipally on vegetable food. The early Christians, 
too, were remarkable for their temperance in 
eating. Multitudes in various periods have been 
specially regardful of their diet, and have profited 
by it in health and longevity. The subject of 
dietetics has been much discussed in the present 
day, and no doubt much benefit has been derived 
from its discussion. But from my own experi- 
ence and observation, whatever may be read or 
thought on the subject, I should say the best prac- 
tical plan is, to partake of plain, common food 
sparingly three times a day only, and to attend 
regularly and soberly to business as duty requires; 
and health, prosperity and happiness will usually 
be enjoyed. Just is the remark of Dryden, — 

'' The first physicians by debauch were made, 
Excess began, and sloth maintains the trade." 

I have noticed that those who read and converse 
much on dietetics, are frequently most afflicted 
with dyspepsy and its train of evils. This is to be 



150 MORAL PRACTICES. 

accounted for principally from the fact, that, be- 
cause they are afflicted with this malady, they 
read and converse respecting it ; and also in part 
from the fact, that, because they thus read and 
converse, they are thus afflicted. I am constrained 
to believe, that an anxious solicitude on this sub- 
ject has a very injurious effect on the health, and 
therefore this should not be indulged. As a gen- 
eral rule, spend an hour a day in taking your 
meals, masticate your food properly, and receive 
your refreshments with a cheerful and thankful 
heart, fully adopting the maxim, '^Edimus ut viva- 
musj non vivimus ut edamus.^^ Never indulge 
yourselves in luxurious living, but hold in utter 
detestation the epicurean character. 

2. Cleanliness. 

This is a practice, which, from its very nature, 
it would seem must receive all due attention; yet 
it is one which is oftentimes greatly neglected. A 
strict regard to its rules is important, as a neglect 
of them not only unfavorably affects the comfort 
and health of the individuals neglecting them, but 
also injures their influence on society. One who 
is greatly deficient in those observances, which 
neatness requires, particularly in respect to his 
personal appearance, depreciates himself in the 
view of others, deprives himself of their respect, 



MORAL PRACTICES. 131 

and, consequently, lessens his usefulness. A des- 
titution of cleanly habits would mar the beauty of 
a character, even though perfect in other respects. 
The external state of the body for neatness is in- 
dicative of the state of the soul. Between sloven- 
liness, filthiness, and vice, there is a close connec- 
tion. Cleanliness in person and dress is very 
favorable to morality in those individuals who are 
the subjects of it, and the community with whom 
they associate. Whitfield was distinguished for 
neatness, and he used to say, '' cleanliness is next 
to godliness." It was remarked of Rowland Hill, 
that " he used to consider a slovenly person and a 
dirty house as an evidence, that religion had 
effected no salutary change in the character." In 
your person, dress, room, furniture, books, and all 
things, be a pattern of neatness. * Whatsoever 
things are pure, lovely, and of good report, think 
on these things.' 

3. Punctuality. 

A habit of punctuality is attended with many 
advantages — many evil consequences will be pre- 
vented and much more good will be accomplished. 
An observance of this is important in all appoint- 
ments, especially so in meetings of a religious 
nature. How often have the feelings of ministers 
been wounded to notice, on entering the place of 



152 MORAL PRACTICES. 

worship, but a small portion of the congregation 
present^ and how much irreverence and disturb- 
ance are occasioned by the entrance of individuals 
after service has commenced. Religious people 
in this respect are frequently irreligious. Punctu- 
ality in ministers favorably affects their people and 
the community at large. They are viewed as ex- 
amples to the flock. They, therefore, of all men, 
ought to be punctual in their engagements — in 
their religious appointments, pecuniary concerns, 
civil transactions, and domestic matters. '^ Ap- 
pointments," observes Mr. Cecil, '^ become debts ; 
I owe you punctuality, if I have made an appoint- 
ment with you, and have no right to throw away 
your time if I do my own. Punctuality is impor- 
tant, because it subserves the peace and good 
temper of a family ; the want of it not only in- 
fringes on necessary duty, but sometimes excludes 
the duty. Punctuality is important, as it gains 
time ; it is like packing things in a box ; a good 
packer will get in half as much more as a bad one. 
The calmness of mind which it produces, is an- 
other advantage of punctuality ; a disorderly man 
is always in a hurry ; he has no time to speak 
with you, because he is going elsewhere ; and 
when he gets there, he is too late for his business, 
or he must hurry away to another before he can 



MORAL PRACTICES. 153 

finish it. It was a wise maxim of the Duke of 
Newcastle, — ' I do one thing at a time.' Punctu- 
aHty gives weight to character. ' Such a man 
has made an appointment ; then I know he will 
keep it.' And this generates punctiiahty in you ; 
for, hke other virtues, it propagates itself." 

A most striking example of punctuality, is to be 
found in General Washington. It is said of him, 
" When he assigned to meet Congress at noon, 
he never failed to be passing the door of the hall 
while the clock was striking twelve. Whether 
his guests were present or not. he always dined at 
four. Xot unfrequently new members of Con- 
gress, who were invited to d'ne with hin, delayed 
until dinner was half over ; and he would then re- 
mark, ' Gentlemen, we are punctual here ; my 
cook never asks whether the company has arrived, 
but whether the hour hF.s.' When he visited Bos- 
ton, in 17S9, he appointed eight o'clock, A. M., 
as the hour when he should set out for Salem ; 
and while the Old South clock was striking eight, 
he was mounting his horse. The company of 
cavalry which volunteered to escort him, were 
parading in Tremont street after his departure ; 
and it was not until the General reached Charles 
river bridge, that they overtook him. On the 
arrival of the corps, the General, with perfect 



154 MORAL PRACTICES. 

good-nature, said, ' Major , I thought you 

had been too long in my family, not to know when 
it was eight o'clock I ' " 

Such was the punctuality of the man whom the 
world delights to honor. Be ye imitators of this 
illustrious example. Ever cultivate and maintain 
the habit of punctuality ; and then you will do 
every thing in its proper season, and have time 
enough in which to perform it. 

4. Industry. 

Industry is a habit which has a most happy 
effect on those who practice it, and also on society. 
Its tendency is to promote cheerfulness, health, 
happiness, and usefulness. The hours of those 
w^hose time is diligently employed in the path of 
duty, seldom hang heavily, but glide swiftly away 
in serenity and peace, and seem too short to 
accomplish all their desires. ' Diligence in busi- 
ness ' is an injunction of the apostle, and he fur- 
ther says, '' If any would not work, neither should 
he eat." Idleness is not only sinful in itself, but 
it is attended with unhappy consequences. It is 
a waste of time, that precious treasure given us 
for the most benevolent purposes, and it will ordi- 
narily be followed by dissipation, poverty, and wo. 
These are its legitimate train. But the diligent 
hand maketh rich. Assiduity in lawful employ- 



MORAL PRACTICES. 155 

ments is duty and interest, temporal and spiritual. 
Action is the life and happiness of man. '• Idle- 
ness," says Dr. South, '^ offers up the soul as a 
blank to the devil, for him to write what he will 
upon it. Idleness is the emptiness and husiness 
the fullness, of the soul; and we all know, that we 
may infuse what we will into an empty vessel, but 
a full one has no room for a further infusion." 
Practice, then, a wise economy of time, and be 
industriously employed. This will be to you an 
elixir of life, and a guaranty to your usefulness 
and honor. And in this view of the subject, true 
is the remark of Sallust, — Sues quisque fortunes 
faber. 

5. Almsgiving. 

That this is a duty, is evident both from reason 
and revelation. The relations we sustain to our 
fellow-beings bind us to compassionate and relieve 
the circumstances of the distressed. Among the 
Jews, the almsbox for the poor was called the box 
of righteousness. Hence, that which is given to 
them is, in Scripture, said to be their due. Says 
Paul to the Hebrews, '' To do good, and to com- 
municate, forget not ; for with such sacrifices God 
is well pleased." The objects of charity are those 
who are really in a destitute and suffering state, 



156 MORAL PRACTICES. 

whether their necessities are of a temporal or 
sjDiritual nature, of the body or of the soul. 

On whom is the duty of charitable contributions 
binding ? All persons, according to their several 
abihty, are obHgated to reheve the indigent and 
suffering. But a question arises, How much is it 
duty to give in charity ? It is difficult, if not im- 
possible, to determine with exactness what pro- 
portion of his property any one is strictly bound 
to devote to private and domestic uses, and what 
to public and charitable purposes. The golden 
rule of the Saviour applies in cases like this : 
" Whatsoever ye would that men should do to 
you, do ye even so to them." This requisition 
extends to spiritual as well as temporal blessings. 
To bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the 
law of Christ, is the duty of every one, so far as 
ability and opportunity is afforded. 

Contributions should never be made in an 
ostentatious manner. The Egyptians adopted as 
the emblem of charity, a blind boy reaching out 
honey to a bee that had lost its wings. In chari- 
table offerings, the applause of God is to be 
sought, rather than that of man. Almsdeeds, 
too, should be performed with cheerfulness, and 
from disinterested motives. It is a duty, and it 



MORAL PRACTICES. 157 

should be considered a privilege, to aid, so far as 
pecuniary ability will pern:iit, the benevolent ob- 
jects of the day. The calls for charitable contri- 
butions are frequent ; and if the means of giving 
liberally are not possessed, an interest in these 
objects should be manifested by such offerings as 
can be made. They should, too, be aided by 
your prayers, which may be instrumental of more 
essential benefit to them, than pecuniary gifts. 
You should also encourage them by endeavoring 
to enlist others in their behalf. Manifest an inter- 
est in all the objects of benevolence, and never 
depreciate the importance of any one of those, 
which is designed and is adapted to promote the 
glory of God and the salvation of man. However 
small your contributions may be, give something 
to all Christian enterprises, and then you will feel 
more cordially and deeply interested in them. 
But if you contribute to a part of these enter- 
prises only, you will become one-sided Christians 
in reference to charitable objects, and thus be 
like some pine trees, whose boughs grow all on 
one side of the trunk. It is as honorable and 
praiseworthy for some to give pence, who have 
not ability to give more, as for others to give 
pounds, who have ability thus to contribute. This 



J58 MORAL PRACTICES. 

is strikingly illustrated in the poor widow and her 
two mites. Cultivate a spirit of expansive Chris- 
tian benevolence, and may you know by happy 
experience, that " it is more blessed to give than 



LETTER XVI. 

INTERCOURSE WITH THE WORLD. 

Dear Erethrev, 

Every individual exerts an influence to a 
greater or less extent, either salutary or injurious. 
That such influence may be beneficial, much 
depends on the character of his intercourse with 
society. One important object of such intercourse 
should be to render himself useful to others, by 
endeavoring to promote their highest happiness 
and usefulness. In proportion as an individual 
does this, he obtains the respect, love, and confi- 
dence of those with whom he associates, and so is 
the degree of his influence over them. It is 
desirable, then, that those distinguishing traits, 
which tend to secure this beneficial effect, should 
be diligently sought and cultivated by you. To 
a consideration of some of these I invite your 
attention. 



160 INTERCOURSE WITH 

1. Your intercourse with society should be 
kind. 

Under this head may be included the various 
offices of benevolence to promote the welfare and 
happiness of others which will be manifested in 
different ways and in the various relations of life, 
as opportunity occurs. Kindness will lead one to 
regard favorably the motives of others, to view 
with candor persons of different sentiments and 
opinions, to acknowledge merit though blended 
with inconsistency. It is a fruit of that charity 
which hopeth all things. It forbids selfishness 
and haughtiness in behavior, and a manifest con- 
sciousness of superiority to others. It is conde- 
scending, gentle, and conciliatory, and will strive 
to avoid altercation and controversy, choosing to 
suffer wrong rather than to do wrong. It is very 
desirable that you should possess this grace. 
Nothing renders any one more pleasing than 
mildness and sweetness in conversation and de- 
portment. " A soft answer turneth away wrath, 
but grievous words stir up anger." " A man that 
hath friends must show himself friendly." A 
cross-grained, misanthropic spirit carried out into 
action, will always create enemies. Being sour 
itself, it will produce sourness in others. In your 
social intercourse, never be guilty of talebearing 



THE WORLD. 161 

or tattling — a practice destructive to the happiness 
of society, and despicable in all addicted to it. Be 
affectionate in your behavior, particularly towards 
your chum, if you have one, and also towards 
your fellow-students. Should you at any time 
become excited, be careful to speak in a low tone 
of voice, for persons in a passion are apt to be- 
come vociferous and boisterous. Mr. Jefferson's 
advice was, " When angry, count ten before you 
speak ; if very angry, an hundred ;" better would 
it be to repeat the Lord's prayer, or one of the 
ten commandments. 

2. Be courteous. 

This grace is the very essence of politeness. 
He who possesses it will be civil, and engaging in 
his manners, and always regardful of the feelings 
of others. He w^ill avoid wdiatever is blunt and 
clownish in demeanor. As the forms of social 
mtercourse are conventional, he will seek aa 
acquaintance with them and adopt them in prac- 
tice, so far as duty allow's, avoiding every thing 
that is eccentric, pedantic, or rudely familiar. He 
who embraces the sentiments of Christ's sermon 
on the mount and strictly adheres to them in 
demeanor, w-ill have attained to a high degree of 
courteousness. He will be a truly polite man, 
amiable in his spirit, attractive in his manners, 
11 



163 INTERCOURSE WITH 

and agreeably affectionate in all his intercourse. 
To be a perfect gentleman is not, therefore, incon- 
sistent with being a true Christian ; but to be a 
Christian in heart and life, is, in the most important 
senses, to be a true gentleman. Such an one will 
avoid haughtiness and authoritativeness in his man- 
ner ; will never appear to deliver his opinions ex 
cathedra; will never sacrifice truth, duty, or 
integrity at the shrine of what is called the graces. 
His conversation will happily illustrate the remark 
of the wise man, '' A word fitly spoken is like 
apples of gold in pictures of silver." Courteous- 
ness is far more important to the usefulness of an 
individual, especially of a minister, than is gener- 
ally imagined. One of polite and graceful man- 
ners can easily gain access to society, and excite 
an interest in his favor, which may be improved 
by him to the noblest of all purposes, that of bene- 
fiting the souls of those whose favor he thus 
obtains, while, if destitute of this desirable trait, 
his influence would be comparatively small, espe- 
cially on a portion of the community. Give heed 
then to the injunction of the apostle, " Be cour- 
teous." Treat all classes of men with due con- 
sideration, regarding them as children of the same 
family, entitled to humane and civil treatment, to 
all the offices of kindness and attention. Exhibit 



THE WORLD. 163 

that courtesy which is the truest politeness, and 
which, as Dr. Thomas Brown, of Edinburgh, 
says, '' in all its most important respects, is noth- 
ing more than the knowledge of the human mind 
directing general benevolence. It is the art of 
producing the greatest happiness, which, in the 
mere external courtesies of life, can be produced ; 
by raising such ideas or feelings in the minds of 
those with whom we are conversant, as will afford 
the most pleasure ; and averting, as much as pos- 
sible, every idea which may lead to pain." 

3. Your intercourse with the community should 
be social. 

At proper times and in a prudent manner be 
ever ready to engage in friendly conversation. 
Avoid that reserved ness which would seem to 
separate you at an unapproachable distance from 
others and to say to them, stand by thyself, for I 
am holier than thou ; and avoid equally the 
extreme of familiarity which discovers a want of 
self-respect and deprives one of the respect of 
others. Great familiarity is frequently followed 
with contempt. Loquaciousness is seldom profi- 
table. Says Solomon, '' A fool uttereth all his 
mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till after- 
wards." '^ A fool's voice is known by multitude 
of words." ^' He that hath knowledge spareth his 



164 INTERCOURSE WITH 

words." " In the multitude of words there want- 
eth not sin ; but he that refraineth his lips is 
wise." In your conversation be neither " full of 
talk" nor talk about trifles, nor be given to retail- 
ing unprofitable anecdotes. Though some good 
men are addicted to these things, yet you should 
never indulge yourselves in them. In your inter- 
course with others, regard their rights. Never 
unnecessarily interrupt, nor in a decided or dicta- 
torial manner, contradict, those with whom you 
converse. Refrain from a melancholy appearance 
and a sadness of spirit, and be cheerful. Gurnall 
says, '' God delights to have his mercy seen in 
the cheerful countenance of his servants while 
they are at his work." There should be buoy- 
ancy without levity ; gravity without moroseness, 
affability without garrulity. 

4. In all your social intercourse be ingenuous. 

There is something that is pleasing in a gener- 
ous, open demeanor. Frankness commends itself 
to every one; but meanness, slyness in the treat- 
ment of others is ever despised. The latter like 
the deadly Upas, spreads its poison wher- 
ever its influence is felt. One who is undis- 
guised and frank in his communications easily 
gains the confidence of those with whom he asso- 
ciates, and, consequently, he has more influence 



THE WORLD. 165 

and greater advantages for usefulness. Dislngenu- 
ousness is inconsistent with the character of a 
Christian, especially with the character of a Chris- 
tian teacher. 

Let your treatment of others be frank, and 
entirely free from all finesse^ and let this be pre- 
ceded by that generosity of soul which charac- 
terizes an honest man, for "out of the abundance 
of the heart the mouth speaketh." Never affect 
ignorance nor knowledge in your intercourse with 
the world. To do this is deceptive and sinful. 
Have, therefore, constant regard to truth and 
duty, and reveal not what is communicated to you 
in a confidential manner. A lawless and betraying 
tongue is an instrument of mischief. 

5. Be circumspect in your intercourse with the 
community. 

Says the apostle to the Ephesians, " See that 
ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." 
He is wise who has attained unto the habits 
of wisdom. In all your intercourse be guarded. 
Little things go to make up the character of per- 
sons, and have great influence on the character 
and conduct of those with whom they associate. 
Avoid all frivolity and foolish jesting. Maintain a 
sedate and manly deportment. " Young men," 
says the apostle, " exhort to be sober." In con- 



166 INTERCOURSE WITH 

versation, dwell mostly on truth and duty, cus- 
toms, manners, things, and the news of the day, 
rather than on particular persons or on their 
opinions and practices. To do this will save 
much bitter remorse on your part and the wound- 
ing of many feelings on the part of others. " A 
prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth him- 
self." 

When you happen to be in the company of 
females, let your discourse be such as to render you 
respected and esteemed, and your society valued. 
Think not that ladies prefer conversation of a 
light and trifling nature to that which is rational 
and improving. Such an idea is erroneous, and a 
reflection on their good sense. Be observant of 
all those attentions which true politeness requires ; 
and endeavor to profit by your interviews with 
them. Their presence has a tendency to restrain 
from improprieties of conduct, to soften the man- 
ners and to promote good moral sentiments and 
feelings. Their delicacy and refinement are 
adapted to check the boisterous passions and to 
tame the brutal. I was once strikingly convinced 
of the truth of this, when travelling in the stage- 
coach in one of the southern States. There were 
present when I entered it in the evening, but two 
passengers besides myself. These were young 



THE WORLD. 1^ 

men, students of the University of Virginia. la 
the course of their conversation, during the night, 
(for we travelled all the night,) their remarks were 
vulgar, profane^ and obscene, so much so that I 
felt constrained, when daylight returned and we 
could see each other face to face, to reprove them 
for their indecent and wicked language. They 
attempted to justify themselves. In the course of 
my remarks, I spoke of the omniscience of God, 
and the ofFensiveness of such conduct in his sight, 
but this seemed not at all to affect them. I then 
inquired. Should you have dared to utter such 
language had there been ladies present ? O, no, 
replied one of them, we should doubtless have 
been restrained by the fair sex. No gentleman 
would utter any thing offensive to them in their 
presence. Happy then, said I, would it be were 
you always to fancy yourselves in the presence of 
ladies. To this they both nodded assent, and the 
conversation turned on some other topic. — This 
consideration is further confirmed by the fact, 
that in a stage-coach, where ladies are present, 
generally more order and propriety of conduct 
prevail than where there are none. 

6. Strive to make your intercourse with the 
community profitable to yourselves and others. 

Let it be your aim to do good and to get good. 



168 INTERCOURSE WITH 

There are many ways in which favors may be 
conferred on others. Such opportunities should 
be readily improved, not only for the important 
benefits thence resulting, but from a desire to 
fulfil the law of love, given by our Creator as the 
rule of action. "Withhold not good from them 
to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy 
hand to do it." Seize every occasion which 
presents to perform offices of benevolence and 
humanity. In your conversation, and conduct, 
often ask yourselves the question, Cui bono ? 
" Let no corrupt communication proceed out of 
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of 
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the 
hearers." " Let your speech be always with 
grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how 
ye ought to answer every man." Job exclaimed, 
" How forcible are right words ! " "A word 
spoken in due season," says Solomon, " how good 
is it." In your intercourse with the pious, (and it 
will I trust be the language of the heart of every 
one of you, " I am a companion of them that fear 
the Lord and that keep his precepts,") seek their 
edification and comfort. Converse on such sub- 
jects as will be for mutual advantage, and ever 
make it manifest, that the cause of the Redeemer 
is dear to you, and that his glory is the great object 



THE WORLD. 169 

of your desire. Let none have occasion to say, 
that you can freely converse on all subjects ex- 
cept those, which are of the deepest interest to the 
advancement of the kingdom of Christ. Improve 
every favorable opportunity of presenting the 
claims of religion to those who are destitute of its 
saving influence. Regard such with the tenderest 
compassion. Manifest a spirit of love towards 
them and convince them, that you sincerely desire 
their happiness. Be judicious in regard to the 
time and manner of introducing religious conver- 
sation, otherwise you might awaken or strengthen 
prejudices which would be of essential injury to 
those whom you wish to bene6t. 

The direction, '' Go through the world with 
your eyes and ears open," is worthy to be heeded 
by you. Be docile, and gather up items of know- 
ledge from every source of instruction within your 
reach. Remember the remark, " Fas est ab 
hoste doceri.^^ 

I conclude this communication with some re- 
marks on the manner in which you should spend 
your vacations ; I mean those, which are not occu- 
pied in teaching. When it can be done, a portion 
of the time may be spent in useful and profitable 



170 INTERCOURSE WITH 

labor. This will give relaxation to the mind, and 
vigor to the body, and prepare you to engage with 
greater ener.y in your studies in term time. 
Reading may profitably engage a part of your 
attention. This may be miscellaneous, as your 
course of reading when at college will be more 
systematic and regular ; and your object in it 
should be amusement, instruction, and improve- 
ment. Spend a portion of your time in social 
intercourse ; in visiting your neighbors and friends 
and in conversing with them. An exchange of 
thoughts on important topics, and in the common 
civilities and courtesies of life, is, in a variety of 
ways, beneficial. You will find it useful, also, to 
devote to composition some of your most happy 
hours for it. A talent at writing is very important 
for you to possess, and this cannot be acquired 
without practice. Dr. Chalmers observes, " We 
are first to import knowledge, then to export it. 
Write daily and elaborately if only for one hour. 
Avoid verbiage ; do not multiply, but select your 
words, and lop off redundancies as you would 
scatter chaff." In speaking on these topics, lord 
Bacon truly remarks, " Reading makes a full 
man ; conversation a ready man ; writing an exact 
man." 



THE WORLD. 171 

In all your intercourse, in all your plans, in all 
your movements, and in all you say and do, have 
regard to the glory of God and the welfare of 
mankind. Thus you will answer the end of your 
creation, and render yourselves blessings to the 
world. 



LETTER XVII. 



BODILY EXERCISE. 



Dear Brethren, 

As man is composed of body and mind, there 
must be the suitable exercise of both, to the enjoy- 
ment of perfect health. Among the laboring classes 
of the community, the corporeal powers are sub- 
jected to disproportionate exercise, and, conse- 
quently, the mind is stinted and enfeebled. With 
students the converse is true. Their minds are 
unduly exercised, and their bodies, consequently, 
become sickly and feeble, and, by sympathy, 
their intellectual powers are unfavorably affected. 
^' Man," says Doct, Buchan, " is evidently not form- 
ed for continual thought more than for perpetual 
action, and would be as soon worn out by the one 
as the other." Bodily exercise, then, is highly 
worthy of the consideration of all who are pur- 



BODILY EXERCISE. 173 

suing a course of study and mental discipline. In 
discussing this subject, from its nature, I may be 
allowed to adduce the testimony of those who have 
long been conversant with it, and are more com- 
petent to judge in the case than myself. This is 
my only apology for quoting so largely from their 
writings. Speaking of the importance of exercise 
to students, Doct. Sewall of the ]Medical College, 
Washington, D. C, says, ''The neglect of exer- 
cise has been the ruin of thousands of literary men, 
and has deprived our country of some of its richest 
ornaments." The testimony of Dr. Miller of the 
Theological Seminary, Princeton, is, '' I should 
say of those who deserve the character of close 
students, full one half, if not more, injure them- 
selves by an injudicious neglect of exercise." 
Professor Newman of Bowdoin College, says, 
'' The records of this college furnish sad testi- 
mony as to the consequences of neglected ex- 
ercise. Many, and those, too, of our most prom- 
ising Alumni, have here laid the foundation of 
protracted illness and of death." The Rev. Mr. 
Gallaudet of Hartford, Ct., remarks, '' So far as 
my personal observation has extended, I should 
consider it perfectly safe to say, that three-fourths 
of our diligent students impair their health by 
insufficient exercise, and probably it would be 



174 BODILY EXERCISE. 

nearer the truth to call the proportion nine-tenths." 
Says Dr. Keith of the Theological Seminary, near 
Alexandria, D. C, " I have never known a close 
student, who did not sooner or later destroy him- 
self, if he neglected exercise." Doct. Reynolds, 
a distinguished physician of Boston, says, " Every 
fact presented by the pathology of the diseases of 
literary men, con6rms the opinion, that the neglect 
of physical culture lies at the foundation." 1 ad- 
duce here the testimony of only one more indi- 
vidual, Doct. Alden, a highly respectable physician 
of Randolph, Ms. '* It has fallen to my lot, to 
stand by the bedside of a promising young man, 
preparing for the ministry, and wipe from his pale 
forehead the cold sweat of death, and perform the 
last sad office of friendship, over whose grave it 
ought to be inscribed, for the benefit of the living, 
^ Lost to the church for want of appropriate ex- 
ercise.' " Of how many theological students this 
would be a just monumental inscription ! 

Of the manner in which exercise affects the 
human system, I would speak in the language of 
physicians, which I quote from the New Edinburgh 
Encyclopedia. " A due proportion of exercise 
we find to be necessary to the perfect action of 
every function both of body and mind ; by its 
excess they are exhausted and fall into premature 



BODILY EXERCISE. 175 

decay ; while by the want of it, their vigor is im- 
paired, the body becomes incapable of maintaining 
itself in health, and the mind partakes of the lan- 
guor and inactivity of the body. Although each 
extreme may be, perhaps, equally injurious, yet 
the greater number of diseases that fall under our 
inspection, originate from this' latter cause ; and its 
first effects are generally manifested upon the func- 
tions that are subservient to the nutritive system. 
By this means, the body loses its proper supply of 
matter, and both its physical constitution, and its 
vital powers, are immediately affected. The se- 
cretions of all kinds become deficient in quantity, 
and changed in their quality ; the circulation pro- 
ceeds with a languid current; and consequently 
both the muscles and the nerves are deprived of 
their due proportion of arterial blood to support 
the contractibility of the former, and the sensi- 
bility of the latter." An eminent physician has 
said, " A certain degree of energy in the circula- 
tion of the blood is necessary to high health. This 
energy should be well balanced, and it should exist 
in all the organs. If the action of one part be 
high, and that of another be low, the balance of 
health is destroyed, and disorder is the conse- 
quence. By exercise, this balance is in a measure 
preserved, and the required vigor of the circulation 



176 BODILY EXERCISE. 

is maintained. If the circulation in the voluntary 
rnuscleSj and the organs of digestion and secretion 
be allowed to languish for want of exercise, their 
power of performing their appropriate offices be- 
comes enfeebled, and hence an almost nameless 
variety of symptoms, indicating impaired health, 
may follow." 

That bodily exercise is essential to the pre- 
servation of health most persons will admit, yet 
there are many, especially among students, who 
do not devote to it that time and attention, which 
its importance requires, and who do not, as to its 
nature and tendency, adopt that exercise which is 
best adapted to produce beneficial results. That 
such exercise may be productive of the most 
salutary effects to students, an attention to several 
things in regard to it is of special importance. 

1 . It should be general, or such as to affect the 
system generally. 

Partial exercise, or the exercise of only a part 
of the physical system, will be but partially salutary 
in its effects ; as, for instance, walking. This op- 
erates principally upon the lower limbs, and in them 
the good is chiefly felt. True, there is, in some re- 
spects, and to some degree, a general effect ; but 
the arms, the chest, the trunk of the human frame, 
are not exercised to any very considerable extent. 



BODILY EXERCISE. 177 

That kind of exercise which affects all parts of the 
physical system, and to a suitable degree, whether 
in the form of gymnastics, or agricultural and me- 
chanical labor, is to be preferred. A writer in the 
second number of the Journal of Health, says, 
*^ To render exercise appropriate, during health, 
it is necessary that motion be communicated to 
every part susceptible of it ; that the breast be 
dilated beyond the usual bounds of rest ; that all 
the muscles attain the utmost degree of their ex- 
tension and contraction ; that strength, of course, 
be exerted, and enjoy all its developments. The 
effects of such exercise, when not carried to the 
extent of producing undue fatigue, are to promote 
the circulation of the fluids throughout the body, 
to render the digestion of food more easy and 
perfect; to ensure the nutrition of every part of 
the system, and to enable perspiration and the 
other excretions to take place with regularity." 

2. Exercise should be systematic and regular. 

The time devoted to it should have its appro- 
priate season, and be regularly observed. Says 
the Journal of Health, '' We are satisfied by inti- 
mate experience, and we may add, by personal 
suffering, that sad injustice is done to human na- 
ture, in the common system of education, by a 
neglect of suitable and regular physical exercise." 
12 



178 BODILY EXERCISE. 

Professor Hitchcock of Amherst College, remarks, 
'' A large proportion of diligent, close students, 
with whom I have met, have impaired their health 
and usefulness, by a deficiency or irregularity of 
exercise." The Directors of the American Edu- 
cation Society, in their Thirteenth Annual Report, 
in contemplating the early graves of thirty of their 
beneficiaries, are led to speak of the great impor- 
tance of uniting exercise with study. They say, 
" A larger number still will follow their example, 
and thousands of dollars will be spent w^ithout 
effect, in future years, unless more effectual mea- 
sures are taken to unite systematic exercise with 
study. They would not undertake to decide what 
those measures should be, in every case. But they 
cannot doubt, that if a farm or workshop, or both, 
were appended to every academy, college and 
seminary in the land, and placed under such 
regulations as to secure the regular and cheerful 
attention of indigent young men, who have been 
accustomed in early life to labor, the sacrifice of 
health and life, which is now the cause of so much 
lamentation, would, in a great measure, cease." 

3. Exercise should be vigorous, but not violent 
nor excessive. 

The exercise of students should be natural. 
Walking is of this description, and is highly bene- 



BODILY EXERCISE. 179 

ficial. '*It is one of the best and most convenient 
methods of taking exercise to which sedentary- 
men can resort ; and whatever other mode may- 
be introduced, this should not be neglected. The 
frequent opportunities which it affords for social 
intercourse among the members of the same in- 
stitution, or for solitude and reflection, render it 
peculiarly pleasant and profitable." The mind is 
diverted and interested by seeing new and various 
objects, the lower limbs are fully exercised, the 
other parts of the system partially, and gentle per- 
spiration is produced. Riding horseback is very- 
useful, especially so for the purposes of regaining 
health. It is probably the best of all exercises for 
invalids. But more vigorous exercise is needed, 
such as is attendant upon the use of the axe, the 
saw, the plane, the utensils of a farm. This will 
operate upon the chest, inflate the lungs, and set 
in motion the whole body. Indolent, listless motion 
will be of no advantage. There must be vigorous 
action, throughout the whole frame ; though violent 
and excessive exercise should not be practised. 
The latter cannot be endured by the constitution 
with impunity. Hence it is found in modern times 
that gymnastic exercises are frequently injurious. 
Not even the athletic Greeks and Romans could 
use them but with caution. Severe and protracted 



180 BODILY EXERCISE. 

labors [are bad. In exercising we should begin 
moderately, and leave off before great fatigue or 
exhaustion takes place. In this respect, an old but 
quaint rule is worthy to be regarded. "The lean 
should exercise ad ruborem, that is, till the body 
and spirits are gently heated ; for that will help to 
fatten them : and the fat, ad sudorem, that is, till 
they pers])ire, for that will help to reduce them, 
and consequently extenuate the body." 

4. Exercise should be taken daily. 

Exercise that is only occasional will not answer 
the purposes of preserving or restoring health. 
Neither will it do so, if it be periodical, provided 
any considerable time elapse between the periods 
of exercise. * As there must be daily food for the 
sustenance of the body; so there must be daily 
muscular action for the preservation of its tone and 
energy. This is something which cannot be per- 
formed by proxy ; nor can it all be done at once. 
" Every student ought to make it a point to fail 
no oftener in his daily exercise than he does in his 
regular meals; since his digestion requires the ex- 
ercise as much as his stomach does the food." The 
constitution, health and temperament of individuals 
being different, will require that the time devoted 
to daily exercise be varied. Some persons may 
receive all the advantages from a daily exercise of 



BODILY EXERCISE. 181 

one hour, which others would derive from two or 
three hours employed in the same w^ay. Each 
individual should ascertain how much is necessary 
to his own health and should then allow to it, its 
appropriate time and season. It is the universal 
opinion of physicians, that exercise should be 
daily, and their opinion generally is, that about 
two or three hours employed in manual labor, or 
exercise in some way equivalent to it, is needful. 
Says Doct. Mussey of Dartmouth college, '^ From 
two to four hours in a day may be most advan- 
tageously employed in exercise." This testimony 
is confirmed by Doct. Jackson of Boston. He 
remarks, '' Three hours a day would not give too 
much time for exercise to a student." These 
two or three hours of daily exercise should not be 
taken at once ; but at two or three different times 
during the day ; and the most suitable seasons are 
a httle before meals. This is the opinion of 
medical gentlemen in the present day, and it was 
also the opinion of the ancients. Says Hippo- 
crates, d TTovog GVTov T^yesadco — let exercise pre- 
cede the taking of food. A question here arises, 
Can two or three hours in a day be spent in bodily- 
exercise, and a proper attention also be paid to the 
whole routine of studies, recitations, lectures, etc., 
now established at our institutions ? In answering 



182 BODILY EXERCISE. 

this question I would adopt as my own the lan- 
guage of the late Rev. Dr. Cornelius, in his 
Address before the Association of Students for 
Manual Labor, at the Theological Seminary, An- 
dover : "A great mistake has, I apprehend, been 
committed, in regard to this point, by students, 
and by the instructors and overseers of seminaries 
of learning. The best and much the largest 
portion of time has been allotted to other objects ; 
so that exercise has been either neglected entirely, 
or very imperfectly attended to. In how many 
institutions would a student find it impossible to 
devote three or four hours to exercise, were he 
ever so much disposed to take it, without inter- 
fering with hours for sleep, or meals, or study, or 
some other object of primary arrangement ? The 
truth is, that the founders and governors of most 
seminaries of learning have made no positive pro- 
vision whatever for taking exercise. Their laws 
and regulations are silent in regard to it. If the 
student is disposed to exercise three hours a day, 
and can contrive to gain time by stealth or some 
other way, he can enjoy the privilege ; but he 
derives little or no encouragement either from the 
authority or the example of his superiors, and 
hence he is easily discouraged from making any 
systematic attempts. Indeed it has been found 



BODILY EXERCISE. 183 

difficult in this seminary, (Theological Seminary, 
Andover,) where the value of exercise is highly 
appreciated, to find space enough unoccupied by 
other duties, to admit of the small term of one hour 
and a half for mechanical exercise." The same 
may be said of colleges and theological seminaries 
generally. " There must be a change in this 
respect. Instructors and overseers of literary and 
professional schools must give to exercise a promi- 
nent place in their arrangements ; they must make 
room for it in the regular employments of each day, 
and throw the weight of their whole influence into 
the scale in favor of it, or it is to be feared, that 
systematic exercise can never be associated per- 
manently with the studies of those who are placed 
under their care." 

5. Exercise should be in the open air. 

No one acquainted with the human body, espe- 
cially the constituent parts of the blood, and its 
general circulation through the system, can for a 
moment doubt this. Great is the difference 
between inhaling air which is fresh and pure, and 
that which is stagnant and impure. The effects 
either beneficial or detrimental, will correspond 
with such difference. Says Doct. Reese of 
New York, " The principal cause of dyspepsy 
and kindred diseases, among students, may be 



184 BODILY EXERCISE. 

defined to be the want of exercise in open 
air." " Mechanical labor in an open workshop, 
if inferior, in its invigorating effects, to the labor 
of the field, is still an excellent substitute, and 
must in certain cases be move convenient." ^' To 
give three or four hours per day to bodily exer- 
cise in open air," says Professor Hitchcock, '^ is 
a point of the last importance to their (students') 
health of body and mind. — The bracing influence 
of morning air has always been celebrated, but 
not overrated. It is nature's grand restorative 
tonic ; and ordinarily the only one that should be 
used by the nervous invalid." If you walk then, 
dear brethren, let it be in the open air; if you 
work, let it be in the open air ; if your employ- 
ment is mechanical, let your workshop be properly 
ventilated ; and then you may expect that salutary 
effects will follow. 

6. Exercise should be convenient and agreeable. 

Unless exercise be convenient and agreeable, 
there will be but little corporeal or mental benefit. 
It should be convenient, that is, such as can be 
practised without much trouble. This is necessary 
in order to secure prompt attention. Where much 
time is required to be spent in preparing dress, 
machinery, etc., for exercise, it will never be en- 
gaged in with interest, regularity or punctuality. 



BODILY EXERCISE. 185 

In this respect, walking has decidedly the advan- 
tage. All things are at once ready, and you may 
enter upon the exercise with alacrity in the open 
air, inhaling the pure breezes of heaven, and 
gazing upon all the wonders of creation around 
you. Horticultural pursuits are attended with the 
next least inconvenience. Here again you have 
much to gratify the eye and the taste. The ad- 
vantage of the workshop is, you can take your 
exercise, '^ whether the \veather be fair or inclem- 
ent, whether the earth be drenched with rain or 
buried deep in snow, and whether it be swept by 
the keen blasts of winter, or scorched by the sultry 
heat of a summer's sun." 

Exercise, too, should be agreeable, that it may 
be a recreation, as well as a duty. If it cannot be 
performed with cheerfulness and pleasure, it will 
not be accompanied with any salutaiy effects. 
The influence of the passions and affections on 
the health is great. If the mind reluctates, little 
good will be done to the body. " Task exercises," 
says a writer in the Journal of Health, '' under 
which denomination may be included all those 
which are resorted to merely for the sake of mus- 
cular exertion, bear pretty much the same relation 
to health, as the castigations of the penitent do to 
piety or virtue." '' The fact is, the mind must be 



186 BODILY EXERCISE. 

turned off from its ordinary routine of thought, at 
the same time that the body is put in motion, 
or the latter will receive but little benefit. The 
mathematical or metaphysical chain of reasoning 
must be thrown aside when man leaves his study, 
as much as his books on these subjects ; and 
amusing, and altogether different ideas must suc- 
ceed — ideas that neither pall by their dullness, nor 
fatigue by their abstruseness." If a person engages 
in exercise from compulsion, no matter by what he 
is compelled, if health is the grand object he seeks, 
that object will not be obtained. And exercise 
should be adapted to the peculiar tastes and cir- 
cumstances of different individuals. What would 
be pleasant to one, would perhaps be irksome to 
another. 

7. Exercise should be manly or dignified. 

In exercise as well as in every thing else, 
regard should be had to propriety and circum- 
spection of conduct. Many of the amusements 
which are resorted to by young people, though 
serviceable in regard to the exercise they afford, 
would not comport with the dignity of character 
which should ever be sustained by pious students, 
preparing: or the ministry. Nor would they, it is 
presumed, be agreeable to the inclination of such. 
My own views on this subject would lead me to 



BODILY EXERCISE. 187 

class among these, the childish sports, boyish feats 
of agility and strength, gymnastic and athletic 
exercises generally. The benefit to be derived- 
from them can scarcely be an equivalent for the 
time spent in a round of manoeuvres so frivolous 
and insipid as they are in themselves. In select- 
ing the kind of exercise to be practised, regard 
should be had to decorum. Professor Hough, in 
an address, delivered before the Mechanical Asso- 
ciation of Middlebury college, says, '' The exer- 
cise of the play-ground is, in most seminaries at 
least, usually surrendered by the more advanced 
and sedate members, to the younger class of 
students ; and they regard themselves, when 
uniting with these in their recreations, as submit- 
ting to a kind of debasement, of which they feel 
half ashamed ; and they engage in them with 
infrequency and heartlessness, or with reluctance. 
It has hence been the fact, that in general the 
athletic sports of running, and jumping, and play- 
ing at ball, and others of a similar character, have 
been well-nigh relinquished by those, who most 
need exercise, to those whose habits and whose 
health least required such expedients. It has 
hence too, proved the fact, that the system of 
gymnastic exercises, which some time since was 
introduced into some of our colle2;es with such 



188 BODILY EXERCISE. 

high anticipations, and on an apparatus for which, 
so much expense was in some cases bestowed, has 
enjoyed merely an ephemeral celebrity, and has 
•already, unless the information which I have re- 
ceived has misled me, sunk into neglect." 

8. Exercise in degree, should bear a proportion 
to the quantum of food received. 

It is a remark of lord Bacon, *• Our exercise 
should bear an exact proportion to our diet, and 
our diet, in like manner to our exercise; or in 
other words, he who eats and drinks plentifully, 
should use much exercise ; and he who cannot 
use exercise, should, in order to preserve his 
heahh, live abstemiously." With this sentiment 
accords the saying of Hippocrates : Homo edens 
sanus esse non potest^ nisi etiam lahorat. This 
doctrine is rational, and is universally maintained 
by gentlemen of the medical faculty. 

9. Exercise to be beneficial should be profita- 
ble in a pecuniary point of view. 

Men will not cheerfully and contentedly work 
without compensation, and if the mind be not 
satisfied, the body will not be profited. A per- 
son, indeed, can walk or ride with no other object 
in view but his health, and be benefited by it ; but 
he cannot work with no other object in view and 
be benefited by it, at least to any considerable 



BODILY EXERCISE. 189 

degree. Strange as this may seem, it is con- 
firmed by experience and observation. A striking 
fact occurs to my mind : A clergyman, feeble in 
body from dyspeptic and other habits, applied for 
medical assistance. The physician recommended, 
that he should take daily exercise — work regu- 
larly in the garden of the gentleman with whom 
he boarded, saying, that such a course of exer- 
cise w^ould restore him to health. The clergyman 
immediately complied \vith the prescription, and 
followed it for a considerable time, but grew worse 
rather than better. He called on his physician 
a2;ain, and told him the result. The physician, 
confident that he understood his patient's disease, 
and that he had prescribed the proper remedy for 
his restoration to health, and thinking that his 
patient labored in vain, because he spent his 
strength for nought or no pecuniary emolument, 
said to him, you must purchase a piece of ground 
and work on the land you own yourself, and then 
you will recover. He did so, and a recovery was 
effected. In the first instance, the clergyman 
knew he was working day after day to no pecu- 
niary profit, and his mind was disquieted, and his 
bodily system, by sympathy, was unfavorably 
affected. In the latter case he knew, that when 
he planted, God adding his blessing, he should eat 



190 BODILY EXERCISE. 

the fruit thereof. He went, therefore, about his 
labor cheerfully, and happy was the effect on his 
corporeal system. 

It is not to be expected, that such results would 
follow in every similar case, because circumstan- 
ces attending them might be very different ; but 
it is believed, that such results, in a great degree, 
would generally follo.v. 

In view of these remarks, I have not so much 
confidence in the salutary effects on health of 
manual labor institutions as some have. The 
pecuniary profit is so little for the labor performed, 
that I have seldom found students, at such insti- 
tutions, satisfied with the compensation they 
received, or disposed to acknowledge, that they 
were much benefited in their health. In these 
institutions there are intrinsic difficulties, which 
cannot be removed, and which prevent the good 
anticipated. 

The results of such exercise as has been 
described are great and good. 

1. In respect to health. 

From the testimonies which have already been 
adduced, we cannot doubt the happy effects of 
such exercise in the preservation and promotion of 
health. The advantages w^iich are to be de- 
rived from the enjoyment of perfect health, 



BODILY EXERCISE. 191 

render more valuable and important the means of 
securing th^m. 

2. In respect to life. 

If exercise is necessary to the promotion of 
health, its tendency must of course be to prolong 
life, and also to render life much more desirable, 
happy, and useful. With the enjoyment of health 
is connected a good flow of animal spirits. These 
not only make life happy to those who are thus 
favored, but they enable them to engage with 
cheerfulness, energy, and zeal in the duties of life, 
and thus to accomplish more fully the great end 
of their existence. 

3. In respect to vigor of body and mind. 

That suitable exercise has a tendency to pro- 
mote vigor of body and mind, observation and 
experience can abundantly attest. To the effi- 
ciency of individuals, such vigor is of inestimable 
importance, that they may fill up life with exten- 
sive usefulness. A vigorous mind may originate 
large and important plans of usefulness, but if not 
connected with vigor of body, however excellent 
such plans may be, they may fail of success from 
being too faintly attempted-, or too feebly prose- 
cuted. But when they are both happily com- 
bined, great things may not only be attempted, 
but accomplished. Where there is in any indi- 



192 BODILY EXERCISE. 

vidual mens sana in sano corpora, much may 
reasonably be expected. 

4. In respect to an increase of knowledge. 

President Griffin, of Williams college, says, 
'^ If men would be content to divide their time 
between study and labor, and dispense with play, 
1 am confident they would accelerate their pro- 
gress in learning by three hours a day devoted to 
labor." It is the opinion of President Chapin, of 
Columbian college, that "three hours spent in 
exercise each day, would rather accelerate than 
retard progress in study." Professor Ripley, of 
the Theological Seminary, Newton, remarks, 
" Three hours each day, and for some students, 
and at some seasons, even four hours, if properly 
distributed, so far from eventually retarding would 
greatly promote progress in study." Says the 
Rev. Dr. Green, of Philadelphia, '* I have not a 
doubt that three hours a day, spent in proper 
bodily exercise, so far from interfering eventually 
with progress in the acquishion of knowledge, of 
whatever kind, would promote it in a very impor- 
tant degree." Dr. Miller, of the Theological 
Seminary, Princeton, thus expresses himself on 
this subject, '' Instead of progress in study being 
retarded by three hours' daily appropriate exercisej 
it would be aided and accelerated." 



BODILY EXERCISE. 193 

In addition to greater acquisition of classical 
and theological knowledge, much information of 
mechanical and agricultural pursuits will be ob- 
tained by a proper attention to laborious exercise. 

Such are my views of this vastly important 
subject, and I pray God that similar views may 
be impressed upon the mind of every student in 
the land. 

If any of you, dear brethren, have not already 
adopted some plan of regular daily exercise, I 
w^ould entreat you to attend to this subject imme- 
diately. Though you may not at present perceive 
any injurious effects from neglecting it. yet your 
neglect of it must be detrimental. May you in 
this as in all other respects, be directed in that 
way which will be subservient to your temporal 
and spiritual interests, and the highest glory of 
your Maker. 



13 



LETTER XVIII. 

REVIVALS IN LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 

Dear Brethren, 

Revivals of religion in our literary institutions, 
on account of their glorious effects, must be a 
subject of deep interest to all the friends of Zion. 
Who, that has the love of God shed abroad in his 
heart, can contemplate it without intense emo- 
tions. That there may be pentecostal seasons in 
them, should be the fervent, importunate and per- 
severing prayer of all who have access to the 
throne of divine grace. 

Permit me to call your attention to some of the 
reasons why revivals of religion in our colleges 
are desirable, and why efforts should be made to 
promote them. 

1. The number of young men connected with 



REVIVALS IN LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 195 

these institutions is very great, while the most of 
them are in an unconverted state. 

There are in the United States, eighty-eight 
incorporated colleges or universities now in opera- 
tion to a greater or less extent, having in their 
academical department about 7,000 students. 
Probably more than one-fourth, or nearly two 
thousand of them are pious. These individuals, 
however, need greater sanctification. Revivals of 
religion will have a tendency to promote this — to 
elevate the piety of all those, who come within 
their happy influence. And probably about 5,000 
of these beloved youth are still in an unconverted 
state, '' having no hope and without God in the 
w^orld," and are thronging the way to eternal 
destruction. Human efforts alone are inadequate 
to save them. They must perish, unless God 
interpose by his grace. Who then will not pray 
for the conversion of these dear youth, each soul 
of whom is infinitely more valuable than the whole 
world, and destined to eternal weal or wo ^ 
Who will not wrestle on their behalf with the 
Angel of the covenant, and say, in the language of 
prevailing Israel, '' I will not let thee go except 
thou bless them." 

2. The young men who are educated in col- 



196 REVIVALS IN 

leges will have a powerful influence on the com- 
munity. 

This remark is true, whatever their profession 
or business in life. They will be more than ordi- 
nary individuals, and consequently, their influence 
on society will be great. In colleges are edu- 
cated not. only ministers, but also legislators, 
judges, lawyers^ physicians. Every one who 
receives collegiate honors will afl^ect, by his 
opinions and example, at least a thousand souls 
around him. These institutions will, therefore, 
be fountains of corruption and death, or of purity 
and life. How important, then, that '' holiness to 
the Lord," be inscribed on all our halls of sci- 
ence, that these fountains be pure, sending forth 
healthful streams to make glad the city of God. 
But should the Holy Spirit be withheld from 
them, they will be like the mountains of Gilboa, 
having no dew nor rain. Prayer, therefore, 
should be made without ceasing of the churches 
unto God, that those who enjoy these advantages 
may be holy men, and thus be prepared to exert 
a holy influence. 

3. The number of those who enter the Chris- 
tian ministry will be greatly increased by revivals 
of religion in colleges. 

The number and proportion of graduates who 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 197 

have entered the ministry in this country since its 
settlement, have been, according to the triennial 
catalogues, as follows, viz. from 1620 to 1720, 
one hundred years, there were graduated at Har- 
vard and Yale colleges, 814 individuals, of whom 
436 entered the ministry, that is, more than one- 
half; from 1720 to 1770, fifty years, there w^ere 
graduated at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, and 
Columbia colleges, 3,197 individuals, of whom 
1,135 entered the ministry, that is, little more than 
one-third ; from 1770 to 1810, forty years, there 
v^ere graduated at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Co- 
lumbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Dickinson, Williams, 
Union, Bowdoin, Middlebury, and South Carolina 
colleges, 7,103, of whom 1,418 entered the 
ministry, that is, one-fifth ; from 1800 to 1810, 
ten years, there were graduated at the colleges 
above named, 2,792, of whom only 453 entered 
the ministry, that is, one-sixth part. Not a single 
clergyman was educated at William and Mary 
college, Virginia, during the 20 years preceding 
1818. Since 1810, about which time the benevo- 
lent enterprises in this country commenced their 
operations, the proportion of graduates who have 
entered the ministry has been increasing. This 
thought is w^orthy of particular consideration. 
Probably more than a quarter of those who pass 



198 REVIVALS IN 

through a collegiate course of education at the 
present time will engage in preaching the gospel. 
But a far greater change must be effected in this 
respect in order to attain to the blessed state of 
the early days of this country. Revivals of reli- 
gion in our colleges must be greatly multiplied 
and extended. In this way, thousands might be 
secured for Christ and the church in the ministry/ 
and speedily too, and comparatively with Ihtle 
expense. These thousands might preach the 
gospel to as many millions of people, and be 
instrumental in the salvation of great multitudes of 
undying souls. Let, then, every one who has an 
interest at the throne of grace, pray particularly 
for revivals of religion in our colleges, that the 
precious youth connected with them may be con- 
verted to God — pray the Lord of the harvest, that 
he will raise up, qualify, and send forth, laborers 
into his harvest, that the earth may be gathered. 

4. Through the blessed effects of revivals of 
religion in our colleges, their design will be better 
answered. 

The true intention of these institutions is to 
promote piety, virtue, and knowledge, and the 
last as subservient to the others. This appears 
evident from the charter and constitution of them. 
Nearly all the colleges in this country have been 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 199 

established by pious men, having specially in view 
the education of young men for the ministry. 
President Edwards, the elder, in his account of 
the revival of religion in New England in his day, 
remarks : " I would say in general, that it ap- 
pears to me, that care should be taken some way 
or other, that those societies " (colleges) '^ should 
be so regulated, that they should, in fact, be 
nurseries of piety ; otherwise, they are funda- 
mentally ruined and undone, as to their main and 
most essential end. They ought to be so consti- 
tuted, that vice and idleness have no living there ; 
which are intolerable in societies where the main 
design is to train up youth in Christian knowledge 
and eminent piety, to fit them to be pastors of the 
flock of the blessed Jesus. If we pretend to have 
any colleges at all, under any notion of training 
up youth for the ministry, there should be some 
way found out that should certainly prevent its 
being thus. There is a great deal of pains taken 
to teach the scholars human learning ; there ought 
to be as much and more care, thoroughly to edu- 
cate them in religion, and lead them to true and 
eminent holiness. If the main design of these 
nurseries is, to bring up persons to teach Christ, 
then it is of the greatest importance, that there 
should be care and pains taken to bring those that 



200 REVIVALS IN 

are educated to the knowledge of Christ. It has 
been common in our public prayers to call these 
societies the schools of the prophets. And if they 
are schools to train up young men to be prophets, 
certainly there ought to be extraordinary care 
taken to train them up to be Christians. And I 
cannot see why it is not on all accounts fit and 
convenient for the governors and instructors of the 
colleges particularly, singly and frequently to con- 
verse with the students about the state of their 
souls." Such were the views of one of the most 
eminent divines who ever lived in this or any 
other country ; and such evidently is and ought 
to be the principal design in the establishment of 
our colleges. 

5. God does hear and answer prayer. 

He has said '' Ask, and it shall be given you,'' 
and he has expressly promised the Holy Spirit to 
them that ask him. " What things soever ye 
desire," (according to the will of God,) " when ye 
pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall 
have them." " And it shall be said in that day, 
Lo, this is our God ; we have waited for him, 
and he will save us ; this is the Lord, we have 
waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in 
his salvation." That God has answered prayer 
offered for our institutions of learning, is strikingly 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 201 

manifest. His declaration has been verily fulfilled, 
"Before they call, I will answer, and while they 
are yet speaking, I wall hear." In some instances, 
revivals have commenced on the very day of the 
concert. The Lord has bee i present by the 
special influences of his Sph'it. In a single revival 
at one of cur colleges, about one hundred and 
twenty individuals were hopefully converted to 
God. Since the establishment of the Annual 
Concert of Prayer for Colleges, in 1S23, glorious 
things for Zion have been accomplished, through 
the effusions of the Holy Ghost ; — much talent 
and influence have been consecrated to Christ 
and the church. 

What powerful motives to eflbrts for the 
promotion of revivals of religion in institutions 
of learning ! Do you ask, dear brethren, w^hat 
part you can take in this glorious cause, and how 
you shall accomplish what it is your duty to per- 
form, I reply^ — 

1. Look into your own hearts and ascertain 
what is your spiritual state. 

Your own iniquities may hinder the blessing 
you seek. '' If I regard iniquity in my heart, the 
Lord will not hear me," says David. Examine 
yourselves and see what evils rankle there. 
Probe your hearts to the very bottom, and learn 



202 REVIVALS IN 

the feelings ani motives by which you are actua- 
ted. In respect to whatever evil there may be in 
you, repent and reform. Get down into the dust 
and truly humble yourselves before God. Let 
each of you ask himself the following questions. 
Do I desire a revival of religion in college ? Has 
my deportment manifested it ? Have I felt, and 
prayed, and acted as I ought? What can 1 do .^ 
What ought I to do ? What am I willing to do ? 
When shall I begin to do it ? 

2. Strive to become deeply impressed with the 
worth of souls. 

Think of the exalted nature, the noble capacity, 
the eternal duration, the everlasting happiness or 
misery of a single soul and the infinite price that 
was paid for it. Contemplate the greatness, 
glory, and worth of an innumerable number of 
such spirits in comparison with all things earthly. 
Consider these things till you are deeply affected 
with the worth of souls. 

3. Look on your impenitent classmates and see 
their awful sinfulness, and the everlasting wrath 
that consequently impends them, and the glory 
that will await them on believing. 

Get into your minds a deep sense of the wailings 
of the damned, and the joys of the redeemed. 
See that a man may possess the talents of an angel, 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 203 

and yet in the highest sense be a fool ; may be a 
giant in intellect, and, without holiness, a giant 
madman. Transport yourselves to the world of 
light, love, and blessedness ; then to the world 
of darkness, hate and wo ; — and by the motives of 
each be moved. 

4. Become greatly distressed in view of the 
dreadful condition of your impenitent classmates. 

While you contemplate their ruin, let your spirit 
be stirred in' you, and let your feelings be en- 
kindled to intenseness — flame as from a furnace. 
And your distress shall be followed with joy ; for 
'' as soon as Zion travails, she brings forth her 
children." 

When you have become thus suitably affected, 
you will — 

5. Pray for the conversion of these individuals. 
Let your supplications be offered in faith and 

hope, with fervency and importunity, with the 
feelings which God is represented as possessing 
when he said, '^ How shall I give thee up, 
Ephraim ! " Pray with the spirit of Jeremiah, 
when he pathetically exclaimed, " O that my 
head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of 
tears, that I might w^eep day and night for the 
slain of the daughter of my people." Pray, 
beheving that the prayers of generations are about 



204 REVIVALS IN 

to be answered in the conversion of this world. 
And thus wrestling, you shall prevail. 

6. Endeavor to excite Christians to make all 
suitable efforts for revivals in colleges. 

Converse and pray with them on this subject 
with deep feeling. Being affected yourselves, 
you will affect your pious classmates. Obtain 
from them some pledge, that they will live in a 
more holy manner, and do more for the advance- 
ment of the kingdom of Christ. 

7. Converse and pray with the impenitent. 

In this matter seek wisdom from on high, for 
you will need wisdom to guide you. Always bear 
in mind, that the way of the Holy Spirit to the 
hearts of sinners is through the hearts of Chris- 
tians. Go and converse with your impenitent 
classmates affectionately and faithfully, strongly 
desiring their salvation. There is an eloquence 
in feeling, as well as in action. Tell them you 
have a message from God, and deliver it in the 
spirit of your Master ; and by your overflowing 
soul, your affectionate earnestness and faithfulness, 
prove to them the reality of religion, and of your 
religion ! Watch for opportunities thus to do them 
good. Summon up your whole Christian influ- 
ence on behalf of their spiritual interests, and you 
shall not labor in vain, nor spend your strength for 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 205 

nought. You will multiply yourselves and your 
influence exceedingly, in promoting revivals of 
religion in our colleges. Thus pray and labor in 
faith and hope, for they all shall yet be '- conse- 
crated to Christ and the church." 



LETTER XIX. 

ANNUAL CONCERT OF PRAYER FOR COLLEGES. 

Dear Brethren, 

The particular object of my present commu- 
nication, is to call your attention to the Annual 
Concert of Prayer for colleges and other semi- 
naries of learning. This Concert was established 
indirectly through the instrumentality of the Di- 
rectors of the American Education Society, and 
its observance has been promoted by them until it 
has come to be very generally regarded with deep 
interest by all evangelical denominations of Chris- 
tians in this land. It has, too, awakened a deep 
interest In many of those who have gone forth 
as missionaries to the heathen. May the time 
soon arrive when this consecrated season shall 
be universally observed by all Christians, and be 



ANNUAL CONCERT. 207 

accompanied with the Holy Ghost sent down from 
heaven on all literary institutions. 

I invite your attention to some brief remarks in 
respect to the origin and progress of this Concert 
of Prayer ; its happy effects ; and the manner in 
which it should be observed. 

In the Annual Reports of the American Edu- 
cation Society, from its commencement to the 
present time, there has been published much im- 
portant statistical information respecting colleges 
and theological seminaries. This very early ex- 
cited a spirit of supplication among Christians 
on their behalf, and a Concert of Prayer for the 
special blessing of Heaven on these institutions 
was established, to be observed every Sabbath 
morning. As the probable result of this, at least 
to some extent, there were frequent and powerful 
revivals of religion in our colleges. These cheered 
and stimulated the children of God to perseverance 
in their supplications. Encouraged by the signs 
of the times, and desirous of perpetuating the in- 
terest awakened, and the influences of the Holy 
Spirit which had been imparted, an Agent of the 
American Education Society, after consulting on 
the subject with the Special Committee of its Di- 
rectors, addressed a Circular to presidents of col- 
leges, to ministers, and others, inviting them to 



208 ANNUAL CONCERT OF 

observe a day of special fasting and prayer for 
these institulions of learning. The following sen- 
tence is contained in the letter. ''That this object'^ 
(revivals of religion in colleges) " may be more 
deeply and extensively felt, not only at the col- 
leges, but among ministers and Christians gen- 
erally, a number of the friends of Zion have 
agreed to set apart the twenty-seventh day of 
February, 1823, as a season of fasting and special 
and united prayer, that God will pour out his 
Spirit on the colleges of our country the present 
year more powerfully than ever before." The 
request was complied with to a considerable extent, 
and thus commenced this annual season, favored of 
Heaven by the gift of the Holy Ghost to the con- 
version of multitudes in our literary institutions. 

The reasons w^iy the last Thursday of February 
was selected as the day of this Annual Concert, 
were the following. The second term of study in 
the colleges has then commenced. The winter 
vacation has elapsed, and the members of the in- 
stitutions have returned to their classical pursuits. 
At this time students are generally more regular 
in their habits than at any other season of the 
year. This was the time, too, when revivals of 
religion had usually taken place in colleges. This 
fact was considered an indication of the will of 



PRAYER FOR COLLEGES. 309 

Heaven in relation to the time to be thus con- 
secrated. Thursday was selected as being less 
occupied with religious engagements than either 
of the other days of the week, and as being the 
day usually observed on other occasions as a 
season of fasting and prayer. 

In the American Quarterly Register and the 
Reports of the American Education Society, this 
subject has annually been presented before the 
community. The religious newspapers of the 
country generally, have advocated the observance 
of this season of fasting and prayer. Resolutions 
recommending its observance, have been adopted 
by different Education Societies, and by many 
ecclesiastical and ministerial bodies. 

The Annual Concert of Fasting and Prayer for 
colleges and other institutions of learning, is now 
therefore established, by the concurrent voice of 
the churches, throughout this land. It is also 
specially sanctified by the great Head of the 
church, as will appear by the blessed effects which 
have followed it. 

Subsequent to the establishment of the Sabbath 
Morning Concert of Prayer for colleges, the Spirit 
of God was poured out, and animating were the 
results. From 1820 to 1823 inclusive, there were, 
to some extent, revivals of religion in Dartmouth, 
14 



210 ANNUAL CONCERT OF 

Middlebury, Williams, Amherst, Yale, Union, Ham- 
ilton, Dickinson, Jefferson, (Pa.) Washington, (Pa.) 
and Hampden-Sydney Colleges, College of New 
Jersey, Brown University, and the University of 
Ohio. Some of these revivals extended into the 
year 1824. In the years 1824 and 1825, there 
was a revival of religion in five different colleges, 
besides more than usual seriousness in a number 
of others. In 1826, there was a revival of re- 
ligion in six colleges ; in 1827, in four; in 1828, 
in five. In 1829 and 1830, the Holy Spirit seems 
to have forsaken, in a very great degree, the insti- 
tutions of learning. There were in them appa- 
rently but few conversions, and no revivals to any 
considerable extent. But the Lord had not with- 
drawn his Holy Spirit from them forever. He 
had mercy still in reserve. The year 1831 was 
emphatically a ''year of the right hand of the 
Most High." Nineteen colleges, to a greater or 
less degree, were visited with the effusions of the 
Holy Ghost, and it was computed that between 
350 and 400 of their students were hopefully 
converted to God. In one college, a revival com- 
menced the very day of the Concert. In 1832, 
God poured out his Spirit on some of our insti- 
tutions of learning, though the number thus favored 
was small. The Holy Spirit descended on a few 



PRAYER FOR COLLEGES. 211 

colleges in 1833, and some souls were converted. 
A promising state of religious feeling existed at the 
time also in other institutions. In 1834, revivals 
were enjoyed in a number of colleges, and many 
students were brought to a knowledge of the truth 
as it is in Jesus. During the year 1835, eleven 
colleges were blessed with revivals, and between 
one and two hundred students were hopefully 
brought into the kingdom of Christ. There were 
revivals of religion in five or six colleges the last 
year. 

Since 1820, there have been revivals in the 
following institutions, viz. Bowdoin, Dartmouth, 
Middlebury, Williams, Amherst, Yale, Union, 
Hamilton, Geneva, Dickinson, Jefferson, (Pa.) 
Washington, (Pa.) Hampden-Sydney, Washing- 
ton, (Va.) Columbian, Oakland, Centre, Western 
Reserve, Kenyon, Granville, Marietta, South Han- 
over, East Tennessee, Illinois, Wabash, and 
Randolph-Macon Colleges, the College of New 
Jersey, Brown University, Hamilton Literary and 
Theological Institution, University of North Caro- 
lina, University of Vermont, University of Georgia, 
University of Ohio, Wesleyan University, and 
Miami University .' During this period, not less, 
probably, than 1,500 young men in these institu- 
tions have hopefully experienced the renewing 



212 ANNUAL CONCERT OF 

influences of the Holy Spirit. Within this same 
time a large number of youth at academies and 
the higher schools have also become hopefully 
pious. In view of such displays of divine grace, 
who can doubt the efficacy of prayer? Who can 
doubt that this season consecrated by the church 
for united supplications on behalf of seminaries of 
learning, has the approbation and seal of Heaven ? 

A few suggestions in relation to the manner of 
observing this Concert will close. 

The day should be spent as a season of special 
fasting and prayer. It is very desirable that a 
portion of the time should be occupied in retire- 
ment by self-examination, acknowledging the mer- 
cies of God, confessing sin, petitioning for your- 
selves, and interceding for others. By attending 
to these private offices of devotion, you will be 
better prepared to discharge the public services of 
the day. 

A part of the day should be observed in a public 
manner in prayer and in listening to addresses and 
remarks which may be made on the occasion. 
Most of the time, however, should be appropriated 
to prayer. This is the great business of the day. If 

" Prayer ardent opens heaven, lets down a stream 
Of glory, on the consecrated hour 
Of man in audience with the Deity," 



PRAYER FOR COLLEGES. 213 

what might not be expected, were clouds of 
holy incense on this day of prayer, to ascend to 
heaven? Would not the Holy Ghost sanctify our 
institutions of learning, and consecrate to Christ 
and the church our young rnen, now in a course of 
education ? Verily he would. The revivals of re- 
ligion which have been enjoyed in the colleges, are 
pledges of his love and earnests of his pleasure. 
You should pray for the officers of these institu- 
tions, that they may be faithful to the spiritual 
interests of their pupils. You should pray, too, 
for pious students, that they may be guided in all 
wisdom, and honor the religion they profess by a 
holy and consistent life, and that those especially, 
who are preparing for the ministry, may be filled 
w^ith the spirit of Christ, and exhibit it in all their 
deportment. In your intercessions you should 
remember, in a very particular manner, those stu- 
dents who are in an unconverted state. Let them 
be presented in faith before the throne of God ; 
let the most fervent and importunate prayer be 
offered on their behalf. It is specially for their 
conversion that this day of Concert was estab- 
lished. In your supplications for literary institu- 
tions, confine not your requests to those of the 
United States, but offer prayers for those of other 
lands, that God would pour into their fountains of 



214 ANNUAL CONCERT OF 

learning the salt of grace, that streams may thence 
issue to make glad the city of God. Prayers are 
now offered by Christians dwelling in heathen 
lands with deep interest on behalf of our literary 
institutions at the time of this Annual Concert ; 
and it is believed that the time is not far distant 
when this Concert of Prayer for colleges and 
other institutions of learning will be observed by 
all Protestant Christendom. 

If you know of any interesting facts adapted to 
the occasion, these may be related. It is always 
proper to speak of the importance of colleges and 
revivals of religion in them ; to tell how" they have 
originated and continued ; how they have multi- 
plied, and how they have resulted in the conversion 
of precious souls. You can state the deficiency 
of laborers for the harvest, and the importance of 
praying the Lord of the harvest, that he will send 
forth more laborers into the harvest. As a means 
of this, you can mention the necessity of the sanc- 
tification of literary institutions, that young men 
in suitable numbers may be furnished for the 
ministry. 

And now, dear brethren, by a regard to the 
glory of God, the interests of the Redeemer's 
kingdom, and the salvation of undying souls, be 
entreated to spend the day of Annual Concert of 



PRAYER FOR COLLEGES. 215 

Fasting and Prayer for colleges in the most entire 
consecration to the glorious objects it has in view. 
Let the season be hallowed by the most devout 
spirit, and by the most holy services. Then will 
the Lord hear, then will the Lord forgive, then 
will the Lord hearken and do, and defer not for 
his own sake, and for the sake of the people called 
by his name ; and then will be written on all our 
halls of science, '* Holiness to the Lord of hosts." 



LETTER XX. 



EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN TO ENTER 
THE MINISTRY. 



Dear Brethren, 

When you think of the vast multitudes who 
are yet unsupplied with the preaching of the gos- 
pel, I doubt not that your hearts are moved, and 
that you long to see the number of those increased 
who are to carry to them the messages of heavenly 
mercy. The object of this communication is to 
invite your attention to the destitution of ministers 
and to induce you to make special efforts to per- 
suade young men of suitable qualifications to pre- 
pare for the Christian ministry. 

I. I would first direct your attention to the 
immense destitution of ministers. 

" The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labor- 
ers are few." " The field is the world " — the 
great family of man. To gather this field, which 



DESTITUTION OF MINISTERS. 217 

is "white already to harvest," six hundred thousand 
spiritual reapers are needed, besides those now 
engaged in this blessed work. This estimate is 
made upon the ratio of giving only one minister 
to a thousand souls. Yes, six hundred millions 
of the human race in Pagan and Mohammedan 
lands are shrouded in moral darkness in all its 
varied and horrid appearances, going down to 
eternal perdition as fast as time can waft them, for 
want of heralds of mercy to proclaim to them the 
words of eternal life. Twenty millions of souls, 
(dreadful thought!) twenty millions of souls annu- 
ally pass to their everlasting destiny without the 
knowledge of the Saviour of sinners ! 

To supply the United States with evangelical 
teachers, allowing only one minister to a thousand 
inhabitants, (and ninety years ago there was in 
New England one liberally educated minister to 
about every six hundred souls,) six thousand at 
least are wanting. There are between three and 
four thousand churches, connected with the Con- 
gregational, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Episcopa- 
lian denominations, which have no settled pastor. 
No data are before the public, by which to de- 
termine very accurately the destitution of min- 
isters in the Methodist denomination ; but from 
the fact, that one preacher is obliged to supply 



218 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

two and three societies, it would seem that there 
is a deficiency of ministers with them. In the 
Southern, Western, and some parts of the 
Middle States, there is an absolute " famine of 
hearing the words of the Lord " ; and thus is it in 
the Canadas. The moral desolations are too 
appalling to particularize or dwell upon. Even 
in the New England States there is a greater 
demand for ministers at the present time, than 
there has been for the last thirty years ; and this 
demand is becoming greater and greater. The 
population of the United States increases now 
more than a thousand in a day, or four hundred 
thousand annually. This has been nearly the ratio 
of increase for the last ten years. In order then 
to meet the wants of the country, it will be neces- 
sary to raise up not only six thousand ministers to 
supply the present destitution, besides enough to 
supply the vacancies made by the decease of 
pastors from time to time, which are about one 
hundred and fifty every year; but also four hun- 
dred more annually, that is, more than a minister 
every day. Five hundred and fifty ministers, 
therefore, must be raised up annually to supply 
merely the increasing demand of the cou try, not 
to say any thing in respect to the supply of its 
present destitution, or of foreign missionaries. 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 219 

By the year 1860, the United States will be 
peopled with thirty millions of inhabitants, if they 
increase as fast as they have increased the last ten 
years. And more than half of this mass of popu- 
lation will be west of the Alleghany mountains, 
where now there are but few ministers of the 
gospel, but few literary institutions, and but few of 
the means of grace, and where will continue to 
be a most awful deficiency, unless special efforts 
are made to supply it. There also will he the 
seat of the Beast, another spiritual Babylon, 
where the mother of harlots may again forge her 
chains, establish her inquisitions, and practice her 
abominations. Ministers, the people will have, and 
if we do not supply them, they will be supplied by 
the energy of the Jesuits. If this should take place, 
every right, and privilege, and blessing we inherit 
from our fathers, procured by their prayers, suf- 
ferings, and blood, will be WTested from us, and 
sacrificed on the shrine of most fearful despotism. 
There will be a tremendous reaction, awfully dis- 
astrous in its effects. The times call for alarm. 
And now what shall be done ? Shall our churches 
famish for the bread of life ? Shall the waste 
places of our Zion never be built ? Shall our 
beloved country be overspread with Romanism, 
and be subjected to the superstitions and evil 



220 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

machinations of Popery ? Shall the heathen per- 
ish for lack of vision ? It must not be. It will 
not be. The sympathies of Christians cannot 
always sleep over such desolations. The knowl- 
edge of salvation will be imparted to those in our 
own country, and in other countries, who are 
destitute of the means of grace. The gospel will 
be preached to every creature ; and prayer, and 
praise, and salvation shall echo from shore to 
shore ! It is so w^ritten in the statute-book of 
Heaven. But " how shall thev call on him in whom 
they have not believed ? and how shall they 
believe in him of whom they have not heard t 
and how shall they hear without a preacher ? " 
It is by the foolishness of preaching, God is 
pleased to save them that believe. What Chris- 
tian then will not view the subject of educating 
young men for the sacred ministry with intense 
interest, and agonize in effort for this great and 
glorious enterprise ! The churches founded by 
the piety, prayers, and toils of our fathers must 
not languish and die for want of pastors to feed 
them with the bread of life. Home Missionary 
Societies must not be retarded in their progress to 
evangelize the country for want of laborers. 
Foreign Missionary Societies must not stop nor be 
delayed in their operations, because a sufficient 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 221 

number of men cannot be emiployed as mis- 
sionaries. All needed pastors and missionaries 
must I e furnished. 

2. To supply this want of ministers, some com- 
mendable efforts have been made. 

The church has begun to awake to the injunc- 
tion of her great Head, '^ Pray ye, therefore, the 
Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labor- 
ers into his harvest." Private Christians seem to 
be impressed with this duty and begin to discharge 
it. Such prayers are now offered from many 
family altars. Some Christians make a point of 
praying particularly on the Tuesday of every week 
for raising up ministers in accordance with a plan 
of daily family concert for prayer, proposed by the 
late Rev. Joseph Emerson, of Wethers6eld, Ct. 
The father, who leads in devotion, will, on such 
occasions, naturally remember his beloved off- 
spring. He will pour out his soul for tlie con- 
version of his sons, and that God would raise 
them up t ) be pastors after his own heart. 
Blessed effects are anticipated from such supplica- 
tions. Ministers now more than formerly remem- 
ber this subject when they stand up in the great 
congregation to address the throne of Him who 
heareth prayer, and unto whom all flesh should 
come. 



222 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

For the promotion of this cause, concerts 
of prayer have been established. The Annual 
Concert of Prayer for colleges was commenced 
in 1823, and has of late been very generally ob- 
served. The American Education Society, at 
their annual meeting, in 1833, adopted the fol- 
lowing preamble and resolutions : 

" Whereas^ the dependence of the Christian 
ministry upon the great Head of the church is 
entire and constant, and his blessing absolutely 
necessary to its success ; and whereas^ the last 
Thursday of February has been annually set 
apart, by many of the friends of the Redeemer, as 
a season of united prayer, for a blessing on the 
young men of this country, and especially on those 
in a course of education at our colleges and 
academies; therefore, 

" Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended 
to all the young men under patronage of this 
Society, to observe the last Thursday of February 
as a day of fasting and prayer, with special refer- 
ence to the more copious effusions of the Holy 
Spirit on the young men of this land generally ; 
but more especially on our literary institutions, 
that the youth who resort thither for an education, 
may be sanctified and led to consecrate themselves 
to the work of the ministry. 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 223 

" Resolved^ That the churches of Christ, and all 
the friends of this Society and of the Redeemer, 
be afFectionately requested to observe this Annual 
Concert of Prayer." 

This Concert has been followed with glorious 
results. 

A Monthly Concert of Prayer for the promotion 
of this cause was instituted in 1826, by the bene- 
ficiaries of the American Education Society, at the 
suggestion of the Board of Directors, and has been 
by them generally observed. The time set apart is 
a portion of the Tuesday immediately succeeding 
the first Monday in each month. The particular 
objects of their prayers are three. First, The 
beneficiaries are to pray for themselves, that they 
may be the true disciples of Jesus Christ, be 
eminently holy, and be distinguished by all the 
Christian graces ; that their minds may be richly 
furnished with useful and divine knowledge ; and 
that ultimately they may become preachers of 
righteousness and salvation. Secondly. They are 
to pray for Education Societies — that they may 
be succeeded in their great and glorious enter- 
prise, to raise up evangelical, devoted and success- 
ful ministers of Jesus Christ, that their officers and 
agents may have heavenly wisdom to guide them 
in the path of duty, and holy zeal to inspire them 



224 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

with activity and energy in the service of the So- 
ciety, and that all their mennbers and patrons noay 
be richly revi^arded for their exertions and con- 
tributions. Thirdly. They are to pray that the 
great Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers 
into the harvest, that it may be gathered; — pray 
that ministers may be raised up to supply destitute 
flocks and to go forth as missionaries of the cross 
into the new settlements of our beloved country, 
and into the wide fields of pagan darkness ; — pray 
that God will be pleased to pour out his Holy 
Spirit on our colleges, academies and public in- 
stitutions of learning, that multitudes of young men 
now in an impenitent state, may be converted and 
become heralds of the cross to dying men. 

At an annual meeting of the American Educa- 
tion Society in 1827, the following preamble and 
resolution were adopted : 

*' Whereas ^ the harvest is plenteous, but the la- 
borers are few,' and the great Head of the church 
has enjoined it upon his disciples, ' Pray ye, there- 
fore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send 
forth laborers into his harvest,' and whereas the 
Tuesday immediately succeeding the first Monday 
of the month is regarded by the beneficiaries of 
the American Education Society, and by many of 
^he friends of the Redeemer, as a day set apart 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 225 

for united prayer, that multitudes of young men 
may be raised up and qualified to preach the 
gospel, therefore, 

'^ Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended 
to all the young men under the patronage of the 
Society, to observe some part of the Tuesday 
immediately succeeding the first Monday of the 
month, as a special season of prayer, that God 
would convert young men, and lead multitudes of 
them to consecrate themselves to the work of the 
ministry." 

The Pastoral Association of Massachusetts, and 
other ramisterial bodies, have passed the following 
resolution, recommending the above concert. 

^' Considering the great and increasing want of 
ministers of the gospel, to supply our own country 
and other parts of the world, and the important 
influence which the American Education Society 
is destined to exert in raising up ministers of the 
gospel, therefore, 

^^ Resolved, That we cordially recommend the 
observance of the Concert of Prayer which is 
appointed on Tuesday following the first Monday 
of the month, to pray for the Society, for those 
under its patronage, and especially, that the Lord 
of the harvest will send forth laborers into his 
harvest." 

15 



226 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

This Concert is now observed to a very consid- 
erable extent. 

Various societies for the education of pious 
indigent young men for the ministry, have been 
formed and have accomplished much in this glo- 
rious enterprise. The American Education So- 
ciety, which is the most extensive in its operations, 
has assisted nearly three thousand individuals in 
their course of preparation for the sacred office. 
More than a thousand have finished their studies 
and entered the ministry. It is assisting at the 
present time about twelve hundred beneficiaries. — 
The Board of Education of the General Assembly 
of the Presbyterian Church is the next largest in- 
stitution of this kind. It assisted the last year four 
or five hundred. Through its patronage, some 
hundreds, (it has never been stated how many,) 
have entered the ministry. — The Northern Baptist 
Education Society, which is one of the oldest in 
the country, has been instrumental of introducing 
quite a number into the sacred office. Other 
Baptist Education Societies are engaging in this 
work with laudable efforts. — The same spirit is 
characterizing the Episcopal denomination, vi'hich 
has always been zealous for a thoroughly educated 
ministry. And the Methodists have recently estab- 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 227 

lished an Education Society with good prospects 
of success. 

About thirty theological seminaries have been 
established with the express object in view of 
raising up for the world an able and faithful min- 
istry. Most of our colleges too have been erected 
with the express design of aiding this glorious 
cause. 

3. Efforts in proportion to the magnitude of the 
work to be accomplished must be made. 

While there are six hundred millions of Pagans 
and Mohammedans destitute of a preached gospel; 
while there are between three and four thousand 
churches connected with the evangelical denomina- 
tions of Christians in our own land, calling for pastors 
to break to them the bread of life ; while there is 
such a demand for ministers from the Home and 
Foreign Missionary Societies, and while the Chris- 
tian community seem disposed and determined to 
sustain these benevolent institutions in their opera- 
tions ; — who can but be deeply affected at the con- 
sideration, that these operations must be retarded, 
if they should not languish and die, because heralds 
of the cross cannot be obtained ? Can it be so ? 
Distressing thought ! There is one aspect of this 
subject which can never be contemplated by the 



228 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

Christian without lively interest. The greater the 
actual supply of ministers, the greater will be the 
demand for them till the whole world shall be 
supplied. The more spiritual reapers there are sent 
into the field of harvest this year, the more must 
be sent the next. Blessed be God that it is so ! 
A minister's influence is most valued and sought 
where best known and enjoyed. To illustrate. 
When Mississippi or China shall have sixty min- 
isters instead of thirty, the call will be louder for 
sixty more than it is now for thirty. So it is in 
respect to all the portions of the world now unsup- 
pHed with the gospel. And this, so far from opera- 
ting as a discouragement to eflx)rt, is the best pos- 
sible stimulus to the active powers of the intelli- 
gent Christian. Let it be observed, too, for en- 
couragement, that the number who will engage in 
this glorious work of evangelizing the world, will 
increase from year to year, till all shall be brought 
to bow to the sceptre of Jesus Christ. 

Is it true, that the preaching of the gospel is the 
grand instrument, which God has appointed for the 
conversion of the world ? Why, then, is there no 
more zeal manifested in raising up preachers of 
salvation ? The revivals of religion have brought 
into the churches muhitudes of young men, who, 
were they educated, would be able and faithful 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 229 

teachers of righteousness. Much the larger pro- 
portion of these will bury their talents in secular 
occupations, unless pressed into the service of the 
ministry. More efforts should be made to lead 
young men to reflect upon this subject, and to 
dedicate themselves to this blessed work. While 
the ministers of the gospel should preach upon it 
on the Sabbath, present it at their social meetings, 
at the monthly concert, especially the concert on 
Tuesday evening, immediately succeeding the first 
Monday of each month ; — while they should con- 
verse particularly with those young men, who are 
of good natural talents, and '' full of faith and of the 
Holy Ghost," and urge upon them their duty ;— 
while they should be persuaded to do this by the 
injunctions of the great Head of the church, by 
the happiness of man in his present state of ex- 
istence, by the never-ending felicities of those 
"who through faith and patience inherit the prom- 
ises," and by the interminable agonies of those who 
perish in their sins, — others are not exonerated 
from taking a part in this important enterprise. 
The church is bound to pray more — more sin- 
cerely, fervently, importunately and perseveringly ; 
and to use all other possible efforts in her power 
for the promotion of this cause. The ministers of 
the gospel should preach and pray more on this 



230 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

subject than they ever have done. Hitherto they 
have been extremely negligent in this respect. 
Perceiving this to be an important duty devolving 
upon the pastors of the churches, the General 
Association of Massachusetts, at their meeting in 
June, 1833, unanimously 

" Resolved^ That, in view of the immense want 
of ministers to supply the destitute churches of 
this country, and to meet the increasing and im- 
perative demand of the Home and Foreign Mis- 
sionary Societies, and in view of the intimate 
and inseparable connection there is between the 
preaching of the gospel and the prosperity of 
every religious enterprise, it is the solemn duty 
of every minister to exert himself to find at least 
one young man, suitable to prepare for the min- 
istrations of God's word, and to induce him to 
commence immediately a course of education for 
the ministry." 

The same resolution has been adopted by other 
ministerial bodies. 

At the annual meeting of the General Confer- 
ence of the churches in Maine, in 1836, the fol- 
lowing resolution was unanimously passed : 

" Resolved^ That the ministers connected with 
this General Conference be requested to mention 
in their statistical returns annually made to this 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 231 

body, the number of young men in their churches 
under twenty-five years of age." 

This resolution, too, has been adopted by other 
ministerial bodies, and it ought to be adopted and 
carried into effect by all similar associations, that 
it may be ascertained how many young men there 
are in the churches of suitable age to prepare for 
the ministry, in order that an approximate calcu- 
lation may be made what number ought to pre- 
pare for this sacred work. The raising up of 
heralds of salvation is one of the greatest works 
the church is called to perform. 

And now, dear brethren, be induced by the 
glory of God, the worth of precious and immortal 
souls, and the responsibility which the great Head 
of the church has imposed upon you, to engage 
with all suitable earnestness in the important work 
of educating pious young men to prepare for the 
ministry. But you may ask. What can we do ? 

1. You can read, and meditate on this subject, 
that you may think and feel aright. 

Much has been written on topics of this nature, 
and printed in periodicals and pamphlets which 
should be perused. You will do well to consult 
particularly the American Quarterly Register — a 
work having specially in view the education of 
young men for the ministry. No person will act. 



232 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

till he has knowledge on the subject about which 
he is called to act. Knowledge will help hinn to 
act aright, and action will lead him to seek knowl- 
edge. 

Having obtained the requisite information, you 
can understandingly and with more appropriate 
feelings, 

2. Offer to God your supplications for this 
cause. 

Every part of the work of bringing forward 
young men to preach the gospel sliould be under- 
taken in prayer — prayer first, prayer last, prayer 
midst, prayer in faith, prayer unceasing. The 
prayer of a righteous man availeth much. No 
cause more imperatively demands the supplica- 
tions of God's children than this, for it is furnishing 
the men who are to be the principal instrumentality 
in the conversion of this world to Jesus Christ ; 
and the consummation of this will be hastened or 
retarded very much according to the character of 
the men engaged in its advancement. You should 
then, especially remember this cause weekly, on 
Tuesday morning and evening, in your social 
devotions. The Monthly Concert on Tuesday 
immediately succeeding the first Monday in the 
month — the day when prayer is wont to be made 
in relation to this subject, should never be for- 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 233 

gotten. The Annual Concert of Prayer on behalf 
of colleges should be particularly observed by you. 
This is a memorable time for our literary institu- 
tions, and should ever be anticipated as a Pente- 
costal season. 

3. You can converse with all those young men 
with whom you come in contact who are proper 
persons to prepare for the Christian ministry. 

You can tell them the woes and wants of a 
sinful and lost world ; that the fields are white 
already to harvest, but the laborers few, and ex- 
cite in them a missionary spirit. You can tell 
them not only the present wants of this country 
and of the world, but also that our 15,000,000 of 
inhabitants will soon become a 100,000,000, and 
that the 600,000,000 in Pagan and Mohammedan 
countries will soon amount to 1,000,000,000. The 
more this subject is contemplated, the more op- 
pressive to the soul it becomes. You can tell 
them that, under the Mosaic law, there was an 
entire tribe set apart to the ministry — some writers 
suppose as many as one minister to every 350 
souls. And you should not fail to deliver your 
message to all who ought to receive it. Let them 
hear you state, too, in the language of the Nine- 
teenth Annual Report of the American Education 
Society, that '^ there are now, in the United States, 



234 EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN 

IjQOOjOOO males between 14 and 30 years of age. 
One in 15, or 126,000, may be considered pious. 
One in 10, or 12,600, ought to prepare for the 
ministry. Of these 12,600 males, there are 
8,400 between the age of 14 and of 24. These, 
generally speaking, ought to take a regular colle- 
giate and theological course to qualify themselves 
for the ministry. Of these, also, 2,940 are between 
the age of 24 and of 28. These, probably, ought 
to take a shorter course of education, that is, attend 
to the study of the languages and other important 
branches two or three years at some academy, and 
then pursue the study of divinity regularly at some 
theological seminary. And of this class, too, there 
are between the age of 28 and of 30, 1,260, who, 
by reason of their advanced age, ought not to pass 
through a regular course of education either at 
college or at a theological seminary, but to study 
divinity with some private clergyman, a year or 
two, and then enter upon the ministry of Christ. 
If there should be any subtraction from this num- 
ber on account of domestic connection, or peculiar 
engagements in secular concerns, (as perhaps there 
should be,) this subtraction may be supplied from 
those over 30 years of age, who ought, in this way, 
to prepare for the ministry. Some few of those 
who entered on the work of preaching the gospel 



TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. 235 

at this time of life, have become eminent in their 
profession, as John Newton and others. Of the 
12,600, not 4,000 — not one third — are preparing 
to preach the gospel of Christ ! " 

And, having presented for their consideration 
communications hke the above, make strong 
appeals to their consciences and hearts, and close 
by some pungent interrogatories, as the following : 
Have you thought on this subject as you ought to 
think ? Have you exerted yourselves sufficiently 
to become acquainted with the spiritual necessities 
of millions in our own country, and of hundreds 
of millions in heathen lands ? Have you felt on 
this subject as you ought to feel ? Have you had 
one hour of distress, one sleepless night on account 
of the impending perdition of those who have no 
knowledge of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ ? 
Have you prayed to God on this subject to afford 
you light, and guidance? Has it been your sup- 
plication. Lord what wilt thou have me to do in 
this thing ? And have you been disposed to say 
in your hearts. Here, Lord, are we, send us, if it 
be thy pleasure ? And can you now appeal to the 
Searcher of hearts and say, I have been willing, 
and I still am willing to preach the gospel, if the 
Lord would indicate it to be his desire that I 
should ? 



236 EFFORTS TO INDUCE, &c. 

Dearly beloved brethren in Christ, bought by 
his blood, renovated by his Spirit, and consecrated 
to him and his cause, thus exert yourselves ; and 
your influence shall be felt generation after genera- 
tion down to the millennial day, and onward till the 
consummation of all things, and the object you 
shall accomplish on earth, shall be the admiration 
of saints and angels eternally in heaven. 



CLASSICAL. BOOKS, 

PUBLISHED BY 

P&llHII^S & MARVIH, 

JVo. 114 Washington Street, Boston. 



A MANUAL OF THE CHALDEE LAN- 

GUAGE : containinor a Chaldee Grammar, chiefly 
from the German of Professor G. B. Winer; A Chres- 
tomathy, consisting of Selections from the Targums, 
and including the whole of the Biblical Chaldee, with 
Notes; and a Vocabulary, adapted to the Chrestom- 
athy. With an Appendix of the Rabbinical character 
and style. By Elias Riggs, A. M. 

THE GREEK TESTAMENT, with English 

Notes, Critical, Philological, and Exegetical, partly 
selected and arranged from the best Commentators, 
ancient and modern, but chiefly original ; the whole 
being specially adapted to the use of Academical Stu- 
dents, Candidates for the Sacred Office, and Ministers 
of the Gospel; although also intended as a Manual 
Edition for the use of Theological Readers in general. 
By the Rev. S. T. Bloomfield, D. D., F. S. A., Vicar 
of Bisbrooke, Rutland, (England.) 

THE GREEK PRIMITIVES of the Mes- 

sieurs De Port Royal. To which are added Rules for 
Derivation, or the Formation of Words. Selected 
principally from Buttman's Greek Grammar. 



M. T. CICERONIS, DE OFFICIIS, LfBRI 

TRKS. Ex editionibas Oliveti et Ernesti. Accedunt 
notae Anglicse. CuiA C. IC Dill a way. 

M. T. CICERO DE SENECTUTE ET DE 

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C. K. DlLLAWAY, A. M. 

M. T. CICERONIS AD a FRATREM DE 

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CICERONIS SELECTS QUiEDAM EPIS- 

TOLiE. Accedunt Notulae and illustrationes An- 
glicae. In usum scholarum. Curd M. L. Hurlbert. 

THE POEMS OF CATULLUS; selected and 

prepared for the use of Schools and Colleges. By 
F. M. Hubbard, Teacher of a Classical School, 
Boston. 

SELECT LETTERS OF PLINY THE 

YOUNGER, with Notes illustrative of the Manners, 
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